Felipe Rivero | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 23, 1924 |
| Died | April 14, 2005 (aged 81) |
| Unit | |
| Conflicts | |
| Spouse | Carmen Luisa Rivero |
| Relations | Felipe Rivero Alonso(father) Francisca Díaz Bridgeman(mother) Nicolás Rivero Alonso(uncle) Pepín Rivero Alonso(uncle) Pepinillo Rivero Hernández(cousin) |
Felipe Rivero Diaz (January 23, 1924 – April 14, 2005) was ananti-Castro Cuban exile who fought against the regime ofFidel Castro as a member ofBrigade 2506 in the landings atPlaya Girón during theBay of Pigs Invasion.[1][2] Rivero soon became an ideological leader of the anti-Castro movement. Rivero was the director, and one of seven creators of theCuban Nationalist Association (which later changed its name to the Cuban Nationalist Movement (MNC)), which was the first Cuban exile organization to use terror tactics. The MNC was responsible for several terroristbombings throughout the Americas, including an attempted assassination ofChe Guevara during an attack on theHeadquarters of the United Nations, and the bombing of theCuban embassy in Ottawa.[3][4][5] Later in life, Rivero became a radio host atWRHC (AM), where he was known to the community ofLittle Havana as aHolocaust denier andFascist.[6][7]
Rivero was born into the wealthy Rivero family, and while he did not possess the title ofCount of Rivero, his uncle wasJosé Ignacio Rivero, and his first cousin wasJosé Ignacio Rivero.[5] The Rivero family operated theDiario de la Marina, the oldest newspaper in Cuba, since the 1st Count of Rivero became its 13th director. As a result of his family's wealth, Rivero described himself as a playboy prior to the end of theCuban Revolution in 1959.[8]
WhenFidel Castro assumed full control of the Cuban government in 1959, the Rivero family were considered enemies of the state for publishing anti-Castro articles inDiario de la Marina.[9]
In 1959, Rivero escaped Cuba aboard a fishing boat, and sought refuge in theUnited States.[1]
In 1961, Rivero participated in theBay of Pigs Invasion, where he was captured by Castro forces and imprisoned on theIsle of Pines with other members of Brigade 2506.
As a prisoner, Rivero was brought to theHavana Sports Palace with other members of Brigade 2506 and put on trial. This trial was covered on live television and broadcast throughout Cuba.[10]
Rivero defiantly refuted his interrogators in front of Castro, saying:
"No, we are not mercenaries! No, we are not all ex-millionaires playboys in the pay of the Yankees! There are men of all classes and races in this brigade. We came to fight communism, period!…do you think that because I know I’m going to the firing squad I’m going to insult my brother freedom-fighters?"[10]
Rivero was smoking aCuban cigar at the time, and a famous press photograph of Rivero smoking the cigar while defying his interrogators was sold throughout the Cuban exile community, where he became a symbol of anti-Castro opposition.[10]
Rivero was released after spending 19 months in Cuban prison.[7]
After returning to the United States, Rivero created theCuban Nationalist Association alongsideIgnacio Novo.[7] This organization carried out many bombing campaigns throughout the Americas against the government of Cuba.[11]
In 1963, Rivero was named Vice Secretary General of theCuban Government in Exile.[12] Rivero traveled withPaulino Sierra Martinez toColombia andNicaragua "to discuss plans for a military base of operations outside the United States."[12] On this trip, they reportedly spoke withLuis Somoza Debayle to obtain access to a training camp on theIsle of Andres. Sierra and Rivero also traveled toNew York City,Chicago,Washington, D.C., andSt. Louis to meet with financial backers involved with the exiled government.[12]
On October 10, 1966, Rivero participated in a second failed invasion of Cuba. He reentered the United States five days later, notably without an immigration inspection.[13]
In 1967, an immigration trial was held, where Rivero was ordered to be deported from the United States.[14] Thousands of Cubans protested his detention by US authorities. Rivero went on a hunger strike.[15]
In 1976, many historians have concluded that Rivero helped plan the assassination ofOrlando Letelier alongside the security forces ofAugusto Pinochet.[7][16]
In 1992, as a radio host forWRHC (AM), Rivero hostedDavid Duke during the neo-Nazi's political campaign that year. After this, many members of theLittle Havana community, and others in the Miami community, realized that Rivero was aHolocaust denier.[6] Rivero described the Holocaust as "the greatest slander", a fabrication invented to "defame and divide the German people." His reputation diminished greatly after this.[7]
Many in the Cuban community were surprised by Rivero's fascist sympathies, but it should be noted here that Rivero's uncle, Jose Ignacio Rivero, was aCarlist who once spoke at a Nazi rally in Germany in support of Adolf Hitler.[17]