Born in Yara, today’s Granma province, he achieved the rank of Major General of the Liberation Army during the “mambi” fights against Spain in the 19th Century. On October 30th, 1897, he became the last president of the Republic on Arms and many considered him at that time as a devoted anti-imperialist that reflected, during four years of American military occupation, the purest aspiration of independence of Cubans. He was defeated by Tomás Estrada Palma in the tricky elections taking place in 1902.
Born in Yara, today’s Granma province, he achieved the rank of Major General of the Liberation Army during the “mambi” fights against Spain in the 19th Century. On October 30th, 1897, he became the last president of the Republic on Arms and many considered him at that time as a devoted anti-imperialist that reflected, during four years of American military occupation, the purest aspiration of independence of Cubans. He was defeated by Tomás Estrada Palma in the tricky elections taking place in 1902.
