Cuba, before January 1st, 1959, was characterized by the repression of the government in power, injustice, racial and social discrimination, and class struggle; a reality that led men of honor to put on first the freedom of the country. In San Antonio de los Baños, patriots emerged, willing to overcome many obstacles and risking their lives to transform this inhuman environment.
There were several labor leaders and peasants in Ariguanabo. One of the prominent figures of the municipality of San Antonio de los Baños was José María Pérez Capote, born on September 29th, 1911. He was an outstanding young in the fight against Machado’s tyranny. He was active in the Communist Youth League, founder of the First National Union of Passenger Transport and General Secretary of the Workers’ Federation of Havana. He organized with Lázaro Peña the Workers’ Confederation of Cuba, (CTC). He became Representative of the Chamber for the Popular Socialist Party, and one of the top labor leaders in the fight against Batista's tyranny.
José María Pérez Capote was distinguished himself for his fighting spirit, honesty, and discipline, that’s why he was tirelessly pursued by the police forces of Fulgencio Batista’s regime. On November 20th, 1957, he was abducted. After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, he was murdered and his body disappeared. In honor of José María Pérez Capote, his name prestiges the public bus terminal of his hometown and also the Combatants Association of the People's Council 01-06 Urban West in San Antonio de los Baños. The intense devotion to the revolutionary cause of the labor movement gave the opportunity to José María Pérez Capote to demonstrate his ability as a leader and his human virtues.