On May 28, 1957, Fidel Castro made the decision to attack a military garrison that was located in the coastal town of El Uvero, in Sierra Maestra.

The combat was particularly bloody because the rebels did not have concealed positions of attack and had to openly expose themselves.

After two hours and forty-five minutes of intense fighting, the garrison surrendered.

After the fighting had ceased, Fidel Castro ordered Che Guevara, then a rebel medic, to remain with the wounded.

Guevara treated the wounded on both sides and made a "gentlemen's agreement" with the barracks doctor to leave the most seriously wounded on condition that they were respected when they were detained, a pact that the Cuban army respected.