Santo
Domingo.- Different qualities of the hero Francisco Alberto Caamaño,
such as his humanism and loyalty to the principles, were emphasized
by family, comrades and admirers of his work during a panel held at
the General Archive of the Nation (AGN).
Roberto
Cassá, AGN's director, said Caamaño represents an enduring example
within the historical circumstances of this Caribbean country. During
the panel, Hamlet Hermann presented his latest book “Caamaño,
Biografía de una Época” (Caamaño, biography of an era).
"Caamaño
was, is and will be a lucky man, because he could break all kinds of
ties to become the leader of a revolution," said Luis Gomez, a
professor at the Santo
Domingo State University’s (UASD).
The
panelists also recalled the landing at Playa Caracoles on February 3,
1973, which had a high price because 13 days later Caamaño was
assassinated by order of then President Joaquin Balaguer.
From: United States, Vivir sin Patria, es lo mismo que vivir sin Honor.
I read El Guerrillero y El General and it offered some good insights on how things really happened after the landing at Playa Caracoles, but it didn't offer much information on Caamano regarding his early military career.. I hope this book can shed some light on his early years in the service.
Written by: laregla, 16 Mar 2013 10:39 AM
From: United States
hernandez5482
There is really not much to investigate, He was a communist who attacked the D.R and as of result of his cowardly & stupid ambitious actions he got shot up. Its almost what Uribe did or was doing with the FARC just killing them on the spot!
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Written by: laregla, 16 Mar 2013 10:39 AM
From: United States
hernandez5482
There is really not much to investigate, He was a communist who attacked the D.R and as of result of his cowardly & stupid ambitious actions he got shot up. Its almost what Uribe did or was doing with the FARC just killing them on the spot!
I'm so good finding GUSANOS, where's the other one?
Ingles another one for your Hall of Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by: generoso, 16 Mar 2013 11:46 AM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Another cheap attempt by Hamlet Hermann to profiteer from Caamaño's memory and legacy.
Mr. Hermann does not have the moral capacity to provide detailed accounts of Caamano's historical accomplishments, and all his books only reveal glimpses of the realities, that he witnessed as a failed guerrilla.
Mr. Hermann's latest mea culpa, in a taped interview you can watch at acento.com, reveals what has been known to the other freedom fighters, that did not surrender after Caamaño was wounded, namely his cousin Claudio Caamaño.
Fact is that the blunders of Mr. Hamlet Hermann, and his continued efforts to document every step of the guerrilla's, even under fire, caused the early termination of Caamaño's life.
Written by: Atabey, 16 Mar 2013 1:33 PM
From: United States, NYC
Generoso,
What was Bosch's role in all this? I hear the Cubans in CUBA aren't all that pleased with how things turned out in Caamaño's attempted revolt and the domestic support he received from leftist in DR. In fact, word has it that Fidel was against the Caamaño attempt on the grounds that it was suicidal, a very high risk of failure, but Caamaño was restless and forged ahead with tragic, for his group, consequences.
Written by: zooma, 16 Mar 2013 1:54 PM
From: United States
"Fidel was against the Caamaño attempt on the grounds that it was suicidal, a very high risk of failure"
If the above was the case it does have some basis of support. It was during an era when tensions between the US and the Soviets were lessening. The US administration under Pres. Ford was having behind the doors meetings with Cuban authorities regarding diplomatic and economic matters. One could expect Fidel would look unkindly upon the leftist operations within his Caribbean neighbors as a thorn in his side because of the implications they were manifested with his backing.
Written by: generoso, 16 Mar 2013 3:39 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Bosch role during Caamaño's invasion was according to many eyewitnesses, was collaboration with Balaguer, to save his own skin.
He publicly denied that Caamaño was in the mountains, even going further and stating that the whole thing was a ruse and fabrication, for Balaguer to use as an excuse to gather up leftists.
In 1973 Fidel Castro was definitely against the invasion, and tried to discourage Caamaño from such a risky venture, but failed. The chemistry between Caamaño and Castro was never good, having only met once, on which Fidel commented that they didn't share many common goals.
Caamaño's plan depended on secret food deposits that where never found, and the support of those warriors that fought in the 1965 civil war. But Balaguer outfoxed him by quickly declaring state of emergency measures, and blockade of all access roads leading to Caamaño.
Written by: generoso, 16 Mar 2013 3:47 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Con't
Balaguer also had the backing of US sophisticated heat seeking satellites, that pinpointed the exact location of the guerrillas to the well trained forces that had been waiting for his arrival.
As usual in the history of the DR, one or more guerrilla fighters that landed with Caamaño, where suspect of being double agents for Balaguer, and performed their treason during the landing, when the detailed backpack with maps and explosives where "lost", and later found by DR army.
The split in the PRD between Bosch and Peña Gomez, was a direct cause of Bosch's inactions and "throwing Caamaño under the bus", by the immediacy of Bosch going into hiding, and not supporting Caamaño's invasion goals.
After the fact and the assassination of Caamaño, Bosch founded the PLD which now rules the DR.
From: United States
Where was Bosch hiding?
Written by: generoso, 17 Mar 2013 12:00 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Jambdebois
It is now known that Bosch was hiding, in the apartment of a well known DR banking executive, in the upscale Serralles section of the city.
From: United States, New York City
Gen, the tidbits you're providing are gold.
Gen states :"Fact is that the blunders of Mr. Hamlet Hermann, and his continued efforts to document every step of the guerrilla's, even under fire, caused the early termination of Caamaño's life."
Expound on that for us please.
Written by: laregla, 19 Mar 2013 12:43 PM
From: United States
Cibaeno 75
You continue to be a joke here you get worst with time! Get a book and READ!!! Are you that desperate that you are begging Generoso for more Info whats next getting on fours!! GOOD LORD.......I told you a while ago you know very little about our Dominican history and that you needed to educate yourself by reading obviously you don't listen very well....
From: United States, New York City
laregla whines "You continue to be a joke here you get worst with time! Get a book and READ!!! "
laregla has returned for his monthly lashing. I'm not begging generoso. This is a forum. It's designed for contribution as well as exchange. Many times generoso has asked me to chime in on something he's working on as well. It's called mutual respect. As for educating myself..please. It's more than obvious that you're not fit to shine my shoes when it comes to that arena. Get a clue.
From: United States, New York City
laregla, the classy person that he is, adds "Are you that desperate that you are begging Generoso for more Info whats next getting on fours!!"
To be expected. Typical prose from someone raised by a murderer.
Written by: generoso, 19 Mar 2013 5:25 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
Caamaño was captured while attending to the wounds, and trying to take care of another brave guerrilla "El fiero" who was the responsibility of Hamlet Hermann, not Caamaño, since Hermann was guarding the rear.
In guerrilla fighting the "leader" in this case Caamaño, is to be protected and shielded 24/7, because without the "leader" the guerilla's flame and leadership will quickly vanish and disappear. Hamlet was saved when he relinquished his role, and evaded capture, but Caamaño was captured trying to save his best fighter, that was mortally wounded, even though it was not his responsibility to save him.
This unwise decision, cause the prompt termination of both the guerrilla's and Caamano's legend.
Previously the night of the landing, another guerrilla "disappeared" or got lost. Many say that he got "cold feet" after Caamaño vented on him, for "forgetting" the maps and explosives in the yacht.
Written by: generoso, 19 Mar 2013 5:31 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
The guerrilla took a publico to the city, and met with Juán Bosch to tell him personally that Caamaño had landed, and get his support. Bosch instead of making the news public, and announcing his support instead went into hiding, and disregarded the guerrilla's claim, thinking it was a set up.
Mr. Hamlet Hermann had been chastised many times by Caamaño for constantly taking notes, instead of being more focused in evading an ambush, which in fact was prophetic.
PS: I am glad to offer my historical narratives to Cibaeño75, or others, about Caamaño and the DR civil war of 1965 and don't have a problem with that. Ciby and I we exchange information all of the time, and the 65 civil war is my favorite subject, since I was an eyewitness.
From: United States, New York City
Thanks for the info gen and for clearing that up. All this begs the question: why? What gave Caamaño the impression that such a move would have been successful at that point of Dominican history when in hindsight all the signs seemed to show that the conditions simply didn't exist? Is it possible that the man had a death wish? Perhaps become a martyr? Frustration at the status quo? Your thoughts.
Written by: generoso, 19 Mar 2013 6:26 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
I think that Caamaño was restless and couldn't wait to get out of Cuba, with the few remaining men that where still with him.
In the training camp the guerrilla's numbers decreased as days and then months, and then years passed without the anticipated landing in Dominican soil.
After he left Cuba, before the invasion plans where put in motion, he could have gone to Costa Rica, and announce his political ambitions as a civilian, but he was also very frustrated and tired of the many treasons he suffered, of all the principal military and civilian actors of the DR revolution, that turned their back on him, including Montes Arache, Lachapelle, Hector Aristy and Juán Bosch and company.
Written by: generoso, 19 Mar 2013 6:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic, United States
The faux pas that precipitated his death was still hoping that the old and tired guerrilla theories of "foquismo", still had a chance in the DR, disregarding that the Dominican campesino is always loyal to the government, which was under the strong hand of neo-Trujillista Balaguer.
He miscalculated and was a victim of disinformation, and thought that by just announcing his arrival, this will spark another civilian revolt up in arms.
He underestimated the DR "batallón Montaña" that where well trained and equipped by US special forces, and had sophisticated scouts leading them.
Balaguer outfoxed him and also did not give the order for termination, but instead said looking down at his desk, in the presence of admiral Jimenez and general Perez y Perez:
No hay carcel en este país para este hombre! Pounding on his desk.
The two generals got the message, and proceeded to execute his subliminal directives.
From: United States, New York City
Thanks for your insight gen.
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There is really not much to investigate, He was a communist who attacked the D.R and as of result of his cowardly & stupid ambitious actions he got shot up. Its almost what Uribe did or was doing with the FARC just killing them on the spot!
From: United States
hernandez5482
There is really not much to investigate, He was a communist who attacked the D.R and as of result of his cowardly & stupid ambitious actions he got shot up. Its almost what Uribe did or was doing with the FARC just killing them on the spot!
I'm so good finding GUSANOS, where's the other one?
Ingles another one for your Hall of Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Hermann does not have the moral capacity to provide detailed accounts of Caamano's historical accomplishments, and all his books only reveal glimpses of the realities, that he witnessed as a failed guerrilla.
Mr. Hermann's latest mea culpa, in a taped interview you can watch at acento.com, reveals what has been known to the other freedom fighters, that did not surrender after Caamaño was wounded, namely his cousin Claudio Caamaño.
Fact is that the blunders of Mr. Hamlet Hermann, and his continued efforts to document every step of the guerrilla's, even under fire, caused the early termination of Caamaño's life.
Generoso,
What was Bosch's role in all this? I hear the Cubans in CUBA aren't all that pleased with how things turned out in Caamaño's attempted revolt and the domestic support he received from leftist in DR. In fact, word has it that Fidel was against the Caamaño attempt on the grounds that it was suicidal, a very high risk of failure, but Caamaño was restless and forged ahead with tragic, for his group, consequences.
"Fidel was against the Caamaño attempt on the grounds that it was suicidal, a very high risk of failure"
If the above was the case it does have some basis of support. It was during an era when tensions between the US and the Soviets were lessening. The US administration under Pres. Ford was having behind the doors meetings with Cuban authorities regarding diplomatic and economic matters. One could expect Fidel would look unkindly upon the leftist operations within his Caribbean neighbors as a thorn in his side because of the implications they were manifested with his backing.
He publicly denied that Caamaño was in the mountains, even going further and stating that the whole thing was a ruse and fabrication, for Balaguer to use as an excuse to gather up leftists.
In 1973 Fidel Castro was definitely against the invasion, and tried to discourage Caamaño from such a risky venture, but failed. The chemistry between Caamaño and Castro was never good, having only met once, on which Fidel commented that they didn't share many common goals.
Caamaño's plan depended on secret food deposits that where never found, and the support of those warriors that fought in the 1965 civil war. But Balaguer outfoxed him by quickly declaring state of emergency measures, and blockade of all access roads leading to Caamaño.
Balaguer also had the backing of US sophisticated heat seeking satellites, that pinpointed the exact location of the guerrillas to the well trained forces that had been waiting for his arrival.
As usual in the history of the DR, one or more guerrilla fighters that landed with Caamaño, where suspect of being double agents for Balaguer, and performed their treason during the landing, when the detailed backpack with maps and explosives where "lost", and later found by DR army.
The split in the PRD between Bosch and Peña Gomez, was a direct cause of Bosch's inactions and "throwing Caamaño under the bus", by the immediacy of Bosch going into hiding, and not supporting Caamaño's invasion goals.
After the fact and the assassination of Caamaño, Bosch founded the PLD which now rules the DR.
It is now known that Bosch was hiding, in the apartment of a well known DR banking executive, in the upscale Serralles section of the city.
Gen states :"Fact is that the blunders of Mr. Hamlet Hermann, and his continued efforts to document every step of the guerrilla's, even under fire, caused the early termination of Caamaño's life."
Expound on that for us please.
You continue to be a joke here you get worst with time! Get a book and READ!!! Are you that desperate that you are begging Generoso for more Info whats next getting on fours!! GOOD LORD.......I told you a while ago you know very little about our Dominican history and that you needed to educate yourself by reading obviously you don't listen very well....
laregla has returned for his monthly lashing. I'm not begging generoso. This is a forum. It's designed for contribution as well as exchange. Many times generoso has asked me to chime in on something he's working on as well. It's called mutual respect. As for educating myself..please. It's more than obvious that you're not fit to shine my shoes when it comes to that arena. Get a clue.
To be expected. Typical prose from someone raised by a murderer.
In guerrilla fighting the "leader" in this case Caamaño, is to be protected and shielded 24/7, because without the "leader" the guerilla's flame and leadership will quickly vanish and disappear. Hamlet was saved when he relinquished his role, and evaded capture, but Caamaño was captured trying to save his best fighter, that was mortally wounded, even though it was not his responsibility to save him.
This unwise decision, cause the prompt termination of both the guerrilla's and Caamano's legend.
Previously the night of the landing, another guerrilla "disappeared" or got lost. Many say that he got "cold feet" after Caamaño vented on him, for "forgetting" the maps and explosives in the yacht.
Mr. Hamlet Hermann had been chastised many times by Caamaño for constantly taking notes, instead of being more focused in evading an ambush, which in fact was prophetic.
PS: I am glad to offer my historical narratives to Cibaeño75, or others, about Caamaño and the DR civil war of 1965 and don't have a problem with that. Ciby and I we exchange information all of the time, and the 65 civil war is my favorite subject, since I was an eyewitness.
In the training camp the guerrilla's numbers decreased as days and then months, and then years passed without the anticipated landing in Dominican soil.
After he left Cuba, before the invasion plans where put in motion, he could have gone to Costa Rica, and announce his political ambitions as a civilian, but he was also very frustrated and tired of the many treasons he suffered, of all the principal military and civilian actors of the DR revolution, that turned their back on him, including Montes Arache, Lachapelle, Hector Aristy and Juán Bosch and company.
He miscalculated and was a victim of disinformation, and thought that by just announcing his arrival, this will spark another civilian revolt up in arms.
He underestimated the DR "batallón Montaña" that where well trained and equipped by US special forces, and had sophisticated scouts leading them.
Balaguer outfoxed him and also did not give the order for termination, but instead said looking down at his desk, in the presence of admiral Jimenez and general Perez y Perez:
No hay carcel en este país para este hombre! Pounding on his desk.
The two generals got the message, and proceeded to execute his subliminal directives.