the night of November 25, 1956, set out from Santiago de la Peña, in Tuxpan, Veracruz, a group of 82 climbers heading for Cuba, went to the mission of making the Revolution. This group expeditionary headed by Fidel Castro Ruz, used in transferring from Mexico to Cuba on the yacht Granma . How was the preparation of this ship and its equipment? This is the question that reveals the author of this remarkable book about a part of the history of the Cuban Revolution. The author was also the owner of the ship is now permanently protected in the Museum of the Revolution in the back yard which was the presidential palace in La Habana Vieja. It is part of this book, the life of Antonio del Conde Pontones. That paraphrase Gabriel García Márquez, live to tell it.
Antonio del Conde, called The Twin by Fidel Castro and the Cuban expedition, he learned the handling and repair of weapons in the business that was his father and then he inherited, in downtown Mexico City. One day he came to his armory one type to search for components of arms, asked: Have you Belgian shares mechanisms. At the request of Del Conde question was repeated. The subject was invited into the office and invited him to make his question again for the third time that repeated in the same way. Del Conde did not answer the question repeated three times, only said Look sir ... I do not know who you are, nor do I care ... but if you want, I will help . Thus began the relationship between Antonio del Conde, who was later named The Twin by Fidel Castro. Was sealed in the covenant that brief dialogue between the revolutionary leader and one of those who supported him in the feat of the Revolution.
Del Conde from its armory and clandestine methods provided weapons to the fledgling revolutionary army, which at that time were called July 26 "in reference to the date the failed assault Moncada Barracks in Cuba. He was also provider weapons, a shooting instructor for the use of certain short and long arms of Fidel Castro.
One of the problems to be solved for the group of climbers was the means of transport to Cuba. The Count sought and found a PT boat that had been used in World War II and was modified for civilian use and went to buy it, along with a Cuban, a U.S. port. That vehicle was not used because the climbers were discovered and arrested in Mexico City, including Fidel Castro. The feasibility of doing so by plane and it discarded the project via air.
tells The Twin on a trip from north to south to spend the Tuxpan River seen from the canoe that was used to cross the river bridge in the absence of a ship that brought attention. Being and the south side and left side of the river was a close look at the boat. Was neglected, required major repairs. Inquired about the owners. Back in Mexico City, he sought out the owners and offered to buy the yacht. There was agreement. So the Count Antonio took control of Granma. Later on a trip to Tuxpan to test some weapons to Fidel Castro, realized that it was being repaired The Twin yacht. Fidel said Yes you fix me that boat, I'm in that boat to Cuba . Before the warning Cuate the ship was badly damaged, Fidel repeated expression. So The Twin took immediate and urgent task of repairing the Granma expeditionary for travel to Cuba.
The Twin learned from Fidel's voice would not go in Granma . That was more useful to the Revolution out of Cuba. Had other missions and fully achieved. Tried together a former Minister and a group of Cuban revolutionaries to reach the island. Started the trip in a hydro-plane-Orion-and had to turquoise waters off the Yucatan Peninsula. While castaways were rescued by a Cuban fishing and brought to the Mexican coast.
At the time of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959, The Twin serving a sentence in a Penitentiary Texas for being caught transferring weapons, accused of failing to pay interstate tax. Through the efforts of the newly victorious revolutionary leaders released from prison.
The Granma keep surfing is the theme of the celebration each year is in Santiago de la Peña, in Tuxpan, 25 November. And is the name of Communist Party newspaper in Cuba.
met the author, some time Granma owner in 2008. I have met him. Not exactly a communist, Catholic. He was excommunicated in 1956 for supporting the Cuban revolutionaries. A teetotaler. In the years that now has as many as Fidel Casto, still very active. Traveling in a car Beetle Volkswagen - - from Mexico City to Tuxpan, he at the wheel. In Mexico City on motorcycles. His life for a great movie. And for me it was an honor to hear their stories from the history of one of the revolutions that marked a milestone in the evolution of humanity.
I appreciate his dedication Antonio del Conde, in the copy of his book I read:
Santiago de la Peña in Tuxpan, Veracruz November 25, 2010
Eleonaí Rivera:
As last year, but always, every day Revolution, these lines, part of the history Mexico - Cuba, you I dedicate. Revolutionary.
Antonio del Conde
"The Twin"
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| Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Manuel Aguilera de la Paz, and Antonio del Conde-The Twin- |
Title: Yate Granma
Author: Antonio del Conde Pontones
Editorial: Editing the author
Edition: First.
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