Cuba Libre is Volume II in the COIN Series of games that use similar rules to cover (usually) modern Insurgencies and other inter-factional conflicts. This is a 1- to 4-player board game depicting insurgent and counter-insurgent (COIN) conflict during the the Cuban Revolution.

This is definitely one of the more accessible titles in the series, by many treated as a perfect first position to start with. Small map, standard rules (with few exceptions), quite short game play (in comparison to other titles in series) makes it perfect training ground. In order to ease the entry to the system even more, I created set of materials which will help you with it.

Let me now present what I prepared for you Guys:

  • First and foremost, the general entry into the Cuba Libre with basic rules explanation as well as demonstration of the game flow. Very good if you would like to see how COunter INsurgency system works in general.
  • Analysis of the key-player in the game – Batista’s Government. It must maintain steam to counter the twin insurgency (Castro & Directorio), while managing two benefactors: its fragile US Alliance and its corrupting Syndicate skim.
  • Next material familiarizes us with Castro’s “26 July Movement”. They must expand from its bases in the Sierra Maestra mountains to fight its way to Havana. How can they do it? Let us see:
  • But there is another insurgency on Cuba. Anti-communist student groups, urban guerrillas, and expatriates (Directorio) try to de-stabilize the Batista regime from inside and out, while trying not to pave the way for a new dictatorship under Castro. Let us see what and how they can achieve:
  • Last but not least, in the midst of the turmoil, Meyer Lansky and his Syndicate bosses will jockey to keep their Cuban gangster paradise alive. See how to best achieve their pretty unique goals!

Enjoy Cuba Libre!