These operations were intended to attract media attention and fuel the people's dislike and hatred towards Batista's soldiers. Fidel and his men carried out two major operations. One such operation, carried out in early 1958, involved the kidnapping of 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 to participate. The ordeal was a major embarrassment for Batista, as he arranged for Fangio to be protected by his own security forces. Upon his release, Fangio praised his captors for the great care and respect with which he was treated. He even declared 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 around 30 American 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 bombardments of villages inside their guerrilla territory. This operation would prompt the United States to ask Batista and his regime to save them. When Batista failed to keep his promises, it discredited him and damaged his relationship with the United States. This kidnapping also highlighted the savagery of the Batista regime.