New York Times

June 18, 1957. p. 8.

Cuban Drive Pressed

Army Chief in Oriente Seeks to Force Rebel Decision

HAVANA, June 17 (AP) – Col. Pedro Barrera, leading troops seeking to drive the rebel leader Fidel Castro from the mountains of Oriente Province in eastern Cuba, said today his forces were forming a ring around the guerrillas in an attempt to force battle or starve them into surrender.

Reached by telephone near his advance headquarters, Colonel Barrera said contact with the rebels had been “an operation of limited duration.”

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 17 (UP) – Colonel Barrera told newsmen here today that he estimated the rebel force in Sierra Maestra at about 150 men.

After the news conference, Colonel Barrera took a group of reporters in a helicopter over the area where the rebels were believed to be hiding.