Huber Matos - Revolutionary Activity

Revolutionary Activity

A Partido Ortodoxo member at the time of Batista's coup of 10 March 1952, Matos got involved with the resistance movement to Batista that began gathering steam throughout the country. He soon moved to Costa Rica where he spent next several years while at the same time back home in Cuba, the struggle against Batista moved to its armed stage, eventually evolving into Cuban Revolution. From Costa Rica, Matos kept in contact with the M-26-7 revolutionaries stationed in Sierra Maestra mountains while helping their aims logistically and organizationally. He was also able to get in touch with the president of Costa Rica José Figueres who supported Cuban rebel aims and helped him obtain weapons and supplies.

On 31 March 1958, thirtynine-year-old Matos flew a 5-ton air cargo with ammunition and weapons to Castro's rebels, thus actively joining the resistance in the mountains. On 8 August 1958 Castro awarded Matos the rank of combat commander, giving him the lead of the rebel army's ninth column that carried the honorary name of Antonio Guiteras, Cuban leftist politician who got assassinated more than a decade earlier. Within six months, the revolutionary movement successfully overthrew Batista and seized control of the country. During the final assault on Santiago de Cuba, Matos led his column. In January 1959 he victoriously rode into Havana atop a tank, alongside Castro and other revolutionaries.

Days later, on 11 January 1959, Matos got a high-ranking military position by being appointed Commander of the Army in the province of Camagüey.