May 19 2001 Attacks (Soviet Survival)

= Background =

Revitalization of the M19CO
The May 19th Communist Organization ceased operations after most of its members were arrested in 1985. Elizabeth Ann Duke fled to Cuba and began plotting a much larger attack than the 1985 Senate bombing. The revived M19CO was over 200 members strong. About 80% of the group was comprised of Far-Left radicals who fled the United States, the rest were young Cuban radicals.

Cuban Support
The Castro regime had previously approved Duke's asylum request and around the mid-1990s, became aware of her growing operations. While not lending public support to her movement, Castro would give it safe haven in his country.

Once Castro was overthrown, it was also discovered that his government gave significant financial support to the group.

Motives
Duke envisioned an attack that would cripple the United States militarily and financially and would be the basis of a communist revolution. The day of the attack was inspired by the group's namesake twin birthdays of Malcolm X and former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. She selected targets that would represent symbols of America's power.

Utilizing a network of left-wing radicals, she organized the attack.

= Attacks =

Airplane hijackings
Four militant Marxists hijacked two airliners: AA 11 and UA 175. Both airliners were targeted at the World Trade Center.

Failed Bombings
At least three undetonated bombs were discovered in the abandoned upstate New York home used to coordinate the attacks. All three bombs were comparable in size to the ones which detonated at the J. Edgar Hoover Building.

According to FBI intelligence, the bombs were each planned to be detonated in Washington D.C. It is not known which buildings were to be targeted.

Damage
The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were completely destroyed. The J. Edgar Hoover Building was seriously damaged and nearly collapsed. Guantanamo Bay's Naval Base and The Pentagon also suffered serious damage. = Aftermath =

War in Cuba
= Effects =

Third Red Scare
= Investigations =