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(Bay of Pigs Invasion, The points of divergence for this time line is increased US air support and the invasion taking place at the original landing site near Trinidad, Cuba; which means the exiles may now link up with resistance in the Escambray Mountains [who have forewarning of the invasion in this TL]. There is also less popular support for Castro in Cuba, with many defecting to the exiles President Kennedy is also more generally hawkish.)

On April 17th, 1961 Cuban exiles land on a sandy beach near the port town of Trinidad. A few hours before dawn they unload their equipment and quickly establish defensive positions. The men are nervous, though exuberant at the thought of returning to their homeland. After dawn they are spotted and engage in a brief firefight with local militia in the palm trees surrounding the beach. The exiles easily route the poorly armed militia with their Browning machine guns and BARs. They have no worries of an attack from air, as President Fidel Castro's air force has been crippled by devastating air strikes two days prior, and have significant air support through out the invasion. After linking up with allies in the mountains the exiles hold off the Cuban army for a week, reaping the benefits of constant air support and frequent resupplies from US ships.
On April 24 the exiles announce the creation of the People's Democracy of Cuba, with Jose Cardona as president. Recognition is given by the US, UK, Nicaragua and other allies. Many citizens, particularly those who had land seized by Castro flee to to the fledgling state, which now cuts across much of central Cuba. Fidel pleads for Soviet support. Premier Nikita Khrushchev is cautious, fearing a nuclear conflict. He agrees to send Soviet spetsnaz (GRU and VDV) and a small number of planes only, erring on the side of caution. The US responds in kind, deploying Green Berets, who are supported by the CIA's Special Activities Division and elements of the US Navy Air Force. Unknown to Castro, Kennedy and Khrushchev quickly make an agreement to limit the conflict to Cuba, and only conventional weapons, making an important concession, though neither wish to back down from the fight. After many brutal battles, the lines are drawn and a kind of violent normalcy ensues.

It is now 1963. The exile Cuban forces are now popularly known as Gators in the US, based on a compliment made by an Navy officer from Louisana: "They fight like gators, and 're as tough as 'em too!". Their opponents are termed "Rojos", for obvious reasons.

Cuba is now a multifaceted country of intrigue and bloodshed. Russian paratroopers sunbathe on the beaches outside of Havana, then carry out in dangerous patrols in the Caguanes swamps. American Special Forces ferry in Patrol Boats between cays and archipelagos throughout the island, utilizing cutting edge technology like C4 and night vision scopes to wreak havoc against the Rojos and Soviets. Everywhere there is the spectre of the two most powerful intelligence agencies in the world. In barrooms and shanties the KGB and CIA play a deadly chess game, recruiting agents, assassins and shady characters from all walks of life.

Welcome to paradise.

(Well, here it is, my first timeline. This part is mostly an introduction, as the rest will be epistolary stories, with the occasional vignette. I realize that I Mary Sued the exiles and painted a far rosier and less mushroom cloudy turn of events than one could have expected. However, intention is to create a Vietnam that is much more restrained and a lot closer to home. Constructive criticism is more than welcome!)
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