The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed military operation that took place in April 1961. It was organized by the United States government to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro in Cuba. A group of Cuban exiles, trained and supported by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), landed at the Bay of Pigs but faced strong resistance from Cuban forces. The invasion was poorly planned and executed, leading to the capture or death of many exiles. The event embarrassed the U.S. government and strengthened Castro's position in Cuba, as well as his ties with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.