REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana

The CIA Puppetmaster Part 2

9 snips
May 27, 2025
In a gripping continuation, the podcast delves into the chaotic Bay of Pigs invasion, revealing how Cuban exiles clashed violently with Castro's forces. Tension mounts as President Kennedy grapples with the consequences of U.S. intervention. The fallout is dissected, showcasing contrasting views between CIA Director Dulles and other key players. The discussion then shifts to how this debacle redefined American foreign policy and set the stage for Vietnam, culminating in the Cuban Missile Crisis—an explosive chapter in Cold War history.
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ANECDOTE

Ponzoa's Flight Into Battle

  • Gustavo Ponzoa, a commercial pilot with no combat experience, flew a disguised B-26 Invader to initiate the Bay of Pigs invasion.
  • Despite fears and doubts, Ponzoa dropped the first bomb, marking the start of the ill-fated invasion.
INSIGHT

Dulles' Manipulative Plan

  • CIA Director Allen Dulles expected the Bay of Pigs invasion to fail to manipulate President Kennedy into full military intervention.
  • Kennedy, however, was growing suspicious and uneasy about the operation and its secrecy.
ANECDOTE

Saldana's Beach Landing Horror

  • Humberto Lopez Saldana landed on Cuban shores amid heavy attacks from Castro's forces and witnessed one of the invasion ships, the Houston, caught ablaze.
  • The invasion quickly faltered as Cuban planes dominated, devastating the exile force's efforts and morale.
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