AHC and WI: Castro Defeated at La Plata (1958)

Talking about this battle here.

Does this mean Castro's insurrection is over, at least for the time being? Guessing Bastista's days are still numbered -- in which case, how does he fall?
 

NothingNow

Banned
Depends. who gets caught/executed?

If Operation Verano goes over right, the 26th of July movement is finished for the most part and, Segundo Frente will probably be next. So, it's probably up to the Civic revolutionaries, or a Military Coup to do anything. Maybe the Mob gets involved again.
 
If Operation Verano goes over right, the 26th of July movement is finished for the most part and, Segundo Frente will probably be next.

Pity... I've been browsing, and would love to able to see William Morgan as a recognized "hero of the revolution"...

So, it's probably up to the Civic revolutionaries, or a Military Coup to do anything.

Could be Jose Quevedo plays something of a role there, seeing as he defected (after being taken prisoner) OTL -- maybe TTL he even uses 7/26 Movement troops captured at La Plata...

Maybe the Mob gets involved again.

Funny, I've actually started thinking of combining this with a successful Apalachin Meeting PoD...

EDIT CONSOLIDATE:
Depends. who gets caught/executed?

I'm thinking Guevera, at least; probably Fidel too, since his base was the target...
 
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Wolfpaw

Banned
Batista wins a short-term victory, then some other revolutionary group springs up and manages to oust him. It's pretty amazing just how little support the Batista regime enjoyed. Lansky and Cuba's Communists were basically the only ones who didn't want to see Batista replaced. Even the CIA was supplying the rebels.
 
Thanks to NN and WP for answers so far. That Bastista's days are numbered, I think we all agree -- the question is who takes him out and takes over. Granted, that may depend on how, exactly, Castro loses...
 

NothingNow

Banned
Uh. But why?

They saw the writing on the wall, and thought that who ever came in would be yet another latin socialist we could control. Castro did play the part fairly well, right up till he dropped the C-bomb. Still, Presedente José Quevedo could be interesting, especially if Che and that corrupt and lucky bastard Arnaldo Ochoa live.
 
^^I can maybe give a very rough TL that's rolling about in my mind when I get in front of a computer -- though I should state, I do NOT see Bastista surviving long by this PoD...
 
I would love to see your Applachian/Batista Victory TL.

OK, here's a rough outline:

1957 -- Apalachin Meeting is a success
July 1958 -- Castro's forces see a defeat at La Plata; among the casualties are Ernesto Guevera. Quevedo shortly brings revolutionary forces into his own to lead a mutiny later in the year.
Dec. 1958 -- Santa Clara is liberated by the combined forces of William Morgan and Camillo Cienfuegos.
Jan. 1959 -- Quevedo (or someone else) leads forces into Havana, and Bastista flees the country.

In the aftermath of this Revolution, Cuba does not go Communist -- initial attempts at banning gambling and prostitution in the nationwide are altered, as the government decides to reopen fully nationalized casinos in the city of Havana -- where, in the years ahead, a new Cuban Mafia emerges. Meanwhile, Vito Genovese continues to reign as PM of the Underworld in the US throughout the 1960's...

That's all I have right now.

CONSOLIDATION: Had another interesting thought -- is it possible that a Cuban Revolution that turned out differently would butterfly away Ernest Hemingway's suicide?
 
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