Fidel with Ñico López, Abel Santamaría, and José Luis Tassende at the Santa Elena farm, in Palos, where they conducted target shooting practice, before the Moncada assault. Kneeling from left to right: Ernesto Tizol and Billy Gascón. This historic photo is displayed at the Casa Abel Santamaría Museum in Havana.
Fidel considered Abel’s life to be of exceptional value, and therefore assigned him the mission of taking the Saturnino Lora Hospital, which was less dangerous than the garrison. This decision was not to Abel’s liking and he protested his leader’s plan, saying, “I’m not going to the hospital. Let the women and the doctor go to the hospital. I have to fight, if there is a fight. Let others pass out the recordings and proclamations.”
Ever since Fidel Castro and other revolutionary fighters attacked the Moncada Garrison in this Eastern Cuban city at dawn on July 26, 1953, locals began to feel a deep affection for the military fortress.
