[CONFLICT] Conspiracy of the Pure

By 1955, student riots and anti-Batista demonstrations had become frequent, and unemployment became a problem as graduates entering the workforce could not find jobs.These were dealt with through increasing repression. All young men were seen as suspected revolutionaries. Due to its continued opposition to Batista and the large amount of revolutionary activity taking place on its campus, the University of Havana was temporarily closed.

At that time, both Batista and the Dominican President Rafael Trujillo faced serious political crisis. Batista had only recently had suspended the Constitution, had not called for new elections and more severely repressing political dissidents, which had become highly unpopular ruler among the Cuban people. Ramon Barquin was a very popular military Colonel. Batista had expected Barquin's unconditional support but Barquin felt compelled instead to return Cuba to a democratic regime.

Batista awaited the unconditional support of Barquin, but on the contrary, Colonel Barquin worked quickly to try to overthrow Batista after his return to Cuba. In April 1956 , Barquin launched what became known as "pure conspiracy" to overthrow the president in power. Barquin, with the support of hundreds of Cuban army officers attempted a coup.