The Secret Operation That Began in Florida

Florida played a central role in the lead-up to the Bay of Pigs invasion, serving as the staging ground for one of the most secretive operations of the Cold War.

In 1960 and 1961, the CIA quietly recruited and trained Brigade 2506, a force of more than 1,400 Cuban exiles preparing to overthrow Fidel Castro. Much of that activity ran through Miami, which became the heart of the operation. Recruitment, planning, and coordination all took place there, while nearby sites were used for training.

On Useppa Island near Fort Myers, and at locations near Homestead, recruits learned the basics of amphibious warfare. Many were then flown out through Opa-locka airport to additional training camps in Guatemala before the final phase. By the time the invasion began on April 17, 1961, Florida had become deeply tied to the mission.

The operation collapsed within two days. Poor coordination and lack of support left Brigade 2506 overwhelmed. Many of the survivors eventually returned to Florida, where the story of the invasion remains an important and often overlooked part of the state’s history.