Gilberto Pérez Sotomayor
In San Antonio de los Baños, historical values are safeguarded and tribute is paid to the heroes and martyrs who persished in battles defending the homeland and sister peoples. A group of these fighters integrated the military battalion that fought along with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
Among the Ariguanabo’s soldiers was the young Gilberto Pérez Sotomayor, who died in Angola in 1979. He studied Citricultura in the province of Matanzas. As a student he performed some responsibilities and excelled in boxing and wrestling, among other sports disciplines. He started working at ''La Pequeña'' farm and later at the National Textile Company, "Rubén Martínez Villena" (Alquitex) in Alquízar. He was affiliated with the labor movement and joined the Active Military Service to fulfill his civic duty. The Ariguanabense soldier was characterized by his natural joviality, honesty, camaraderie, and revolutionary ideals.
Like many of his age, he decided to join the cause of the Angolan people in the struggle for national emancipation. The young internationalist was only 18 years old when he died in Angola fighting for others to live in a country where social justice prevailed. The remains of the soldier Gilberto Pérez Sotomayor rest in the pantheon to the martyrs of the Homeland in San Antonio de los Baños’ necropolis. His name distinguishes the Association of Combatants No. 02-15 of Ariguanabo.
Recognizing the exceptional internationalist support of Cuban combatants to the Republic of Angola is a tribute to our heroes and martyrs.
