Opposition Forces
There are no practically autonomous intermediary institutions in Cuban society. In Cuba, there is no Christian Church that can mobilize the masses as was the case in Poland or in the GDR. Despite one of the richest traditions of union activity, an independent labor movement such as Solidarnosc is not in prospect in Cuba. Despite a few well-publicized episodes, Cuban dissidents and intellectuals have been unable to come together into anything comparable to Charter 77, the Petofi Circle or the samizdat movement.
Absent institutional sanctuaries and social spaces in which to evolve and camouflage political activity, the atomization that characterizes Stalinist forms of political control has been singularly effective in preventing the development of horizontal solidarities that normally precede the crystallization of organized forms of public protest.
Several para-military groups continue to operate within the Cuban exile community. These groups conduct sporadic attacks on Cuba, in preparation for a concerted series of attacks that would help overthrow the Castro regime.
Alpha-66 was formed after the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. The group claims to have trained over 27,000 combatants since the early 1960s. Reportedly over 2,500 combatants are organized in units that conduct reconnaissance and infiltration missions into Cuba. In January 1992 Three Alpha-66 combatants were captured attempting to infiltrate Cuba. One was executed while the other two are serving life sentences.
Comandos L was formed in 1962, and became much more active in the late 1980s under the leadership of Tony Cuesta. The group has carried out several covert mission in Cuba, which led to the arrest and execution of three of the groups members.
Brigade 2506 was founded by veterans of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and continues to train combatants for operations against Cuba.
PUND (Partido de Unidad Nacional Democratico) was founded in 1989. It has trained hundreds of combatants in a camp located in the western Everglades.
Comandos F4 was formed in May 1994, with the goal of increasing the number of armed infiltrations into Cuba.
