National Hero of Cuba. He was a man of high principles, Latin American and internationalist vocation; impeccable personal conduct, both public and private and with human qualities that sometimes seem insurmountable. A Cuban of universal projection who went beyond the frontiers of the era in which he lived to become the greatest Spanish-American political thinker of the 19th century. Author of an essential work as a source of knowledge and consultation for all generations of Cubans and the content, style and singular beauty of the poems, letters, journalistic articles, of all the writings and speeches he made, place him as an intellectual of vast culture.

He was a general in the Ten Years' War and the General in Chief of the Cuban revolutionary troops in the War of 95. (The date of birth is estimated and is based on his birthday celebrations). Example of internationalist and military genius.