La Coubre explosion sold to a shipping company in Cyprus and renamed "Barbara". Alberto Korda took photos at the memorial service for victims of the "La Coubre" explosion, including "Guerrillero Heroico", which has become an iconic image of Che Guevara. La Coubre explosion The French freighter La Coubre () exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, on 4 March 1960 while it was unloading 76 tons of munitions. Casualties may have been as high as 100, and many more were injured. Fidel Castro charged it was an act of sabotage on the part of the United States, which denied any involvement. Unloading explosive
Alberto Korda established newspaper offered the largest space for photographers to display their photographs, and Korda became part of the revolutionary cause. Korda Says, “Nearing 30, I was heading toward a frivolous life when an exceptional event transformed my life: The Cuban Revolution. It was at this time that I took this photo of a little girl, who was clutching a piece of wood for a doll. I came to understand that it was worth dedicating my work to a revolution which aimed to remove these inequalities.” He got caught up in the ideals of the revolution and began photographing its leaders.