In the years that followed, the guerrilla fighters waged war on the troops of dictator Fulgencio Batista, declaring victory on Jan. 1, 1959 when Batista fled the country. Castro noted the importance that Cuba's younger generations have played in the communist government's battle to (secure) Elian's return from the United States, where the boy's Miami relatives are fighting for permanent custody.  
 Verb: secure
Yes