These operations were intended to attract media attention and fuel people's aversion and hatred towards Batista's military soldiers. There were two major operations carried out by Fidel and his men. One such operation, carried out in early 1958, was to kidnap the world-famous Argentine racing driver, Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio was kidnapped at gunpoint, in broad daylight, and held until the start of the race in which he was supposed to take part. This ordeal was of great embarrassment to Batista, as he made arrangements for Fangio to be protected by his own security forces. After his release, Fangio praised his captors for the great care and respect with which he was treated. He also stated that “if what the rebels did was for a good cause, then I, as an Argentine, accept it.” The second major operation was the kidnapping of a bus filled with approximately 30 U.S. sailors and marines. They took place between the end of June and mid-July. Fidel's reasoning behind this operation was to pressure Batista to stop the aerial bombing of villages within their guerrilla territory. This operation would push the United States to ask Batista and his regime to save them. Batista's failure to keep his promise discredited him and damaged his relationship with the United States. This kidnapping also further exposed the ferocity of Batista's regime