UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., April 17, 1961 (UPI) -- Cuba charged today that the invasion of Fidel Castro's island was carried out by "mercenaries" coming from Florida and Guatemala and armed and financed by the United States. U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson denied the charge.
Cuban Foreign Minister Raul Roa made the charge as the General Assembly's Main Political Committee began debate on Cuba's long-standing charge of U.S. "aggression."
Roa told the General Assembly's Main Political Committee:
"The republic of Cuba was this morning invaded by a mercenary force, organized, financed and armed by the government of the United States of American and coming from Guatemala and Florida."
When Roa finished his 90-minute indictment of the United States, U.S. Ambassador Adial E. Stevenson told the committee:
"The distinguished representative speaking of Cuba has just charged the United States with aggression against Cuba and an invasion coming from Florida.
"These charges are totally false and I deny them categorically."
