November 25, 1960

On November 25, 1960, Patria, Minerva, Mate, and their driver, Rufino de la Cruz, were traveling along the treacherous mountain roads in the region. The women had been visiting Manolo and Leandro in a jail in Puerta Plata, many hours from their home. On their return journey, they were ambushed by Trujillo's soldiers. All four were strangled or beaten to death, placed back in the car, and pushed over the edge of the cliff. Trujillo believed that if the Dominican people were to find out that the "Mariposas" were enough of a threat to warrant execution, they would be inspired and rise up. So the soldiers made it look like the car had hit a turn too fast and run off the road. They took them out of the car, strangled or beat them to death, placed them back in the car and pushed it over the cliff. The country was not fooled, however. They rose up full force. Less than a year later, Trujillo was assasinated. The deaths of the Mirabal sisters gave courage to the nation. Courage to defeat the dictator. The dictator that plagued them and bade them to pray to him and caused many to "run off the road" while traveling. The courage of the Mariposas lives on in the hearts of all Dominicans.