Cuban Casualties In Angola: A Costly War

The Angolan Civil War was a 27-year conflict that began in 1975, shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal. The war was fought between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The MPLA was supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, while the FNLA and UNITA were backed by the United States, Zaire, and apartheid South Africa. The conflict was part of the Cold War struggle between communist and capitalist powers, and it resulted in significant loss of life for all involved.

Estimates vary on the number of Cuban soldiers who died during the Angolan Civil War. Cuban defector Brigadier General Rafael del Pino Diaz claimed that 10,000 Cuban troops were killed in Angola since 1976, while other sources place the number at around 4,300 to 6,200. Cuban involvement in Angola ended in 1991, following a peace agreement signed by Cuba, Angola, and South Africa.

Cuban casualties in Angola were estimated at 10,000 by Brig. Gen. Rafael del Pino Diaz

Del Pino's estimate of 10,000 Cuban casualties contradicted the Cuban government's narrative, which had kept a tight hold on information about casualties in Angola, never referring to it publicly. If accurate, this number would indicate that Cuban losses in Angola were proportionately much higher than American fatalities in Vietnam. It is worth noting that the United States had not established diplomatic relations with Angola's Marxist government, resulting in fragmented information and limited understanding of developments in the country.

Del Pino's defection from Cuba was significant. As a high-ranking military official, his departure was considered "the greatest success for American espionage since Fidel Castro took power more than 25 years ago" by a senior U.S. official. Del Pino, accompanied by his wife and three children, fled to the United States in a twin-engined Cessna 402 aircraft. Upon arrival, he requested political asylum and was granted special permission to stay. Del Pino's decision to defect was motivated by his belief that the Cuban revolution was leading the country to ruin.

Del Pino had a notable military career in Cuba. He served as the chief of the Cuban air and anti-aircraft forces in Angola and played a crucial role in establishing the Cuban Air Force. Additionally, he held important command positions and was a delegate in the first and second congresses of the Communist Party. Del Pino's military expertise and knowledge of Cuba's military capabilities, as well as Soviet activities on the island, made him a valuable source of information for U.S. officials.

The accuracy of Del Pino's estimate of Cuban casualties in Angola highlights the significant loss of life in this conflict. The impact of these casualties on Cuba, given its smaller population compared to the United States, underscores the high cost of Cuba's involvement in the Angolan War.

Cuban troops first arrived in Angola in March 1975

The intervention came after the outbreak of the Angolan Civil War, which occurred after Angola gained independence from Portugal in November 1975. The civil war quickly became a proxy war between the Eastern Bloc, led by the Soviet Union, and the Western Bloc, led by the United States. South Africa and the United States backed UNITA and the FNLA, while communist nations backed the MPLA.

Cuba's decision to intervene in Angola was influenced by multiple factors. The country's 1959 revolution had been strongly opposed by the United States, leading Cuba to adopt an offensive strategy to protect itself. Additionally, Cuba recognised that a campaign in Africa was less likely to provoke a direct confrontation with the US, as Americans did not view Africa as part of their sphere of influence. Furthermore, Cuba's significant population of African descent and its commitment to anti-racism made the country sympathetic to the anti-apartheid struggle.

By the time of the Cuban intervention, Angola was in a state of civil war, with the MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA vying for power. The MPLA, led by Agostinho Neto, was the only progressive alternative, while the FNLA, led by Holden Roberto, gained support from Zaire's right-wing leader, Joseph Mobutu. Jonas Savimbi, who headed UNITA, collaborated closely with South Africa's apartheid regime.

Cuba's initial deployment to Angola consisted of a small number of troops, but their presence was critical in preventing South African forces from capturing Luanda, the Angolan capital. The Cubans played a crucial role in halting the South African advance and pushing back the forces of apartheid.

The Cuban military presence in Angola continued to grow, reaching nearly 36,000 troops by 1976. Cuba's involvement was instrumental in securing control of all provincial capitals in Angola and driving out internationally isolated South African forces. The Cuban troops remained in the country to support the MPLA government against UNITA during the ongoing civil war.

The conflict in Angola had far-reaching consequences, leaving a lasting impact on Southern Africa. The Cuban intervention played a pivotal role in defending the MPLA's control of Angola and contributed to the broader struggle against racist domination across the region.

Cuba's involvement in the Angolan Civil War crippled Cuban-US relations

Cuba's involvement in the Angolan Civil War was a significant factor in the deterioration of Cuban-US relations. The conflict, which lasted from 1975 to 1991, saw Cuba supporting the Marxist-Leninist People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) against the Western-backed National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA). The war became a proxy conflict between the Eastern Bloc, led by the Soviet Union, and the Western Bloc, led by the United States.

Cuba's decision to intervene in Angola was driven by multiple factors. Firstly, the 1959 Cuban Revolution had been strongly opposed by the US, leading Cuba to adopt an offensive strategy to ensure its defence. Secondly, a campaign in Africa was less likely to provoke a direct confrontation with the US, as most Americans did not consider Africa as part of their sphere of influence. Additionally, Cuba's revolutionary ideology emphasised anti-racism, and many Cubans of African descent supported the anti-apartheid struggle.

The Cuban intervention in Angola, codenamed Operation Carlota, began on November 5, 1975, in response to the outbreak of the Angolan Civil War following Portugal's withdrawal from its African colonies. Cuba sent combat troops to support the MPLA, which was facing pro-Western forces backed by South Africa and the US. The conflict quickly escalated, with Cuba deploying 35,000 infantry and special forces by the end of 1976.

The US reaction to Cuba's involvement was hostile, with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stating that US efforts towards rapprochement with Cuba would end if "Cuban armed intervention in the affairs of other nations" continued. The US accused Cuba of aggression and claimed that the Soviet Union was behind the Cuban interference. However, Cuba had acted independently, and the Soviet Union was caught off guard by the scale of the Cuban intervention.

The conflict in Angola had significant consequences for Cuban-US relations. The US imposed economic sanctions on Cuba and passed the Clark Amendment, which restricted the CIA's ability to intervene in Angola. Additionally, the presence of Cuban troops in Angola contributed to tensions and mistrust between the two countries. The US also continued to support UNITA, even after the peace accords were signed, further straining relations with Cuba.

The Angolan Civil War ended in 2002, but the impact of Cuba's involvement lingered. Cuba suffered economic consequences due to the loss of subsidies from Angola and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additionally, the conflict contributed to a shift in US foreign policy, with the US increasing its focus on Africa and attempting to distance itself from the apartheid regime in South Africa.

The Cuban intervention in Angola had a significant impact on the region and the broader Cold War dynamics. While it crippled Cuban-US relations, it also demonstrated Cuba's commitment to anti-imperialism and anti-racism, shaping its global image, particularly in the Non-Aligned Movement.

Cuba sent teachers, doctors, technicians, and construction workers to Angola

Cuba's intervention in Angola was about more than just military support. In fact, the country sent thousands of teachers, doctors, technicians, and construction workers to the African nation.

Cuba's first international health collaboration took place in 1960 when Cuban doctors were sent to Chile following an earthquake. This was followed by the deployment of a group of 50 health professionals to Algeria in 1963, marking the beginning of Cuba's community capacity-building efforts abroad.

In Angola, Cuba's medical presence was significant. By 1977, just two years after the start of the Cuban campaign, only one Angolan province out of sixteen was without Cuban health technicians. Cuban doctors, nurses, and other health professionals worked in both urban and rural areas, focusing primarily on primary healthcare and the treatment of pregnant women and infants.

In addition to healthcare, Cuba also contributed to education in Angola. Teachers from Cuba were posted at medical schools and universities, and some were dedicated solely to basic literacy programs like the "Yes I Can" program.

The presence of Cuban professionals extended beyond the healthcare and education sectors. Cuban technicians and construction workers played a crucial role in Angola's infrastructure development and reconstruction. They worked on various projects, including the repair of bridges, roads, buildings, telecommunications, and more.

Cuba's international collaboration is grounded in the principles of social justice and equity. By sharing its expertise and resources, Cuba has set an example for other nations to emulate, demonstrating that solidarity and support for disadvantaged communities can have a profound impact on global health and development.

Cuban-backed MPLA forces fought against South African forces and UNITA rebels in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a significant conflict between Cuban-backed MPLA forces and South African forces with their UNITA allies. The battle, which took place from August 1987 to March 1988 in southeastern Angola, was the largest military engagement of the Angolan Civil War and the biggest conventional battle on the African continent since World War II.

The MPLA, or the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola, was the Marxist-oriented political party that had ascended to power in Angola after its independence in 1975. However, their triumph was not universally celebrated, and civil war broke out between the MPLA and UNITA, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola. The MPLA received support from Cuba, the Soviet Union, and other liberation movements, while UNITA was backed by anti-communist forces, including the United States and the South African regime.

In August 1987, the MPLA launched a large-scale offensive towards Mavinga, a major UNITA stronghold. This prompted the South African Defence Force (SADF) to intervene and support UNITA. The SADF aimed to prevent the MPLA from gaining control of Mavinga, which would have allowed insurgents to operate in the region and threaten UNITA's control of bordering regions.

The Cuban forces played a crucial role in the battle, particularly in the defence of Cuito Cuanavale, a town in southeastern Angola. After the MPLA's initial offensive, several of their brigades retreated to Cuito Cuanavale, where they were reinforced by Cuban armoured and motorised units. The SADF and UNITA launched multiple assaults on the MPLA and Cuban defensive positions but were unable to break through. The Cuban and MPLA defenders interpreted these attacks as part of a larger effort to seize Cuito Cuanavale and considered their successful defence as a significant victory.

The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a turning point in Southern African history. It marked the beginning of the end of white minority rule and the apartheid system in the region. The defeat of the apartheid forces in Cuito Cuanavale expedited the liberation of Namibia, South Africa, and the broader SADC region. The Cuban forces, despite not gaining any material benefits, fought for the liberation of Southern Africa from colonial and reactionary forces.

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