August, 2024: On August 21, 1899 died Major General Francisco Varona Gonzalez, who began his conspiratorial work in 1865, through the recruitment of followers for the revolutionary cause in Las Tunas, along with Vicente Garcia and other patriots.
He participated in the three stages of struggle against the Spanish colonialism; his military record is full of laurels, among which his participation in the assault to Las Tunas in 1869, the combat of Río Abajo, where the Creciente de Valmaseda was defeated from March 13 to 16, 1870; this patriot from Las Tunas energetically rejected the Zanjón Pact and together with his cousin Vicente García participated in the Baraguá Protest.
In 1879 at the head of the Tunas troops he joined the Chiquita War and victim of a deceitful agreement, he was taken prisoner and together with his son deported to Spain; he returned to Cuba in 1886, after the murder of Vicente Garcia in Venezuela, and in the territory of Las Tunas he dedicated all his efforts to the organization of the new conflict.
Francisco Varona Gonzalez joined the War of 95, fulfilling the legacy of Vicente Garcia, to help liberate Cuba and shortly after he received the rank of major general of the Cuban Liberation Army.
Due to his advanced age and poor health, he remained since 1896 in his barracks in San Luis, protected by a special escort assigned to him by the Government Council, until he died on August 21, 1899, crowned with laurels and victories won in his eagerness for the freedom of Cuba.