The Bay of Pigs invasion, launched in April 1961, was a significant event in U.S.-Cuba relations and the Cold War. This failed invasion aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist regime in Cuba but resulted in a major embarrassment for the U.S. government. It highlighted the limitations of U.S. foreign policy and military intervention strategies. The invasion also solidified Castro’s power and led to increased tensions between the United States and Cuba, which culminated in the Cuban Missile Crisis the following year. The incident served as a stark reminder of the complexities of Cold War geopolitics.