Alpha 66

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Alpha 66 is a paramilitary group, formed by Cuban exiles in Puerto Rico opposed to the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro in 1961. The founder and first leader, Nazario Sargen, was a former member of the 26th of July Movement organization lead by Fidel Castro, suggesting that their politics may have been left-wing. The group trained during the 1960s and 1970s in the Everglades for an eventual armed invasion of Cuba. The Cuban government has long considered the group to be a terrorist organization. [1] [2]

Though an invasion never materialized after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the group continued its violent efforts against the Cuban communist government. In 1976, Miami Police Lieutenant Thomas Lyons and Detective Raul J. Diaz testified that groups including Alpha 66 had international terrorist ties and had sold $100 "bonds" in Miami to help finance their causes. The group was linked to a spate of bombings and assassinations in Miami during the 1970s, directed at moderate community leaders intolerant of the terrorist methods of certain anti-Castro groups against assigned communist officials and supporters. No Alpha 66 member was convicted of these crimes however, and different terrorist groups, such as Omega 7 and CORU, were active in Miami at the same time. A week before Lyons and Diaz's testimony, broadcaster Emilio Milian had both his legs blown off in a car bomb outside his workplace.^[1]

Alpha 66 continues to be an organized entity.^[2] The current leader of this paramilitary group is Ferdinand de Montejo, who currently resides in Hollywood, Florida.