The Bay of Pigs invasion was hired and organized by the CIA, which trained Cuban exiles in Brigade 2506 for the operation. José Miró Cardona led the exile political front, while CIA officers such as Richard Bissell and Jake Esterline helped run the plan; the CIA also used E. Howard Hunt in related anti-Castro efforts.

Quick Scoop

The actual invading force was mostly Cuban exiles recruited, trained, and equipped by the CIA. The best-known name connected to the exile leadership is José Miró Cardona, and the CIA’s operational leadership included Richard Bissell and Jake Esterline.

In plain terms

If you mean “who was hired,” the short answer is: the CIA hired and assembled anti-Castro Cuban exiles for the invasion. The operation is commonly identified with Brigade 2506, which landed in Cuba on April 17, 1961.

Extra context

Some later CIA anti-Castro work also involved E. Howard Hunt, who was tasked with organizing the invasion and later became known for other covert and political operations. That is separate from the exile combat force itself, which was made up of Cuban volunteers.