From the middle of 1897, the Cuban victory over the Spanish troops was envisioned. It was then that the US government decided to interfere to achieve its imperialist purposes of seizing Cuba. On August 12, 1898, hostilities ceased and on December 10, peace was agreed between Spain and the United States. Through the Tratado de París, the Cubans were excluded from the discussions and the nation of the North seized the Island.
From August 12 to December 4, 1898, the mambi troops remained encamped around San Antonio de los Baños. The people visited assiduously the liberators of the country. Camped in the El Pozo farm, the mambises, along with dignified representations of the ariguanabense people, celebrated the anniversary of October 10, with the National Anthem. Mayor Juan Manuel Navarrete, elected by the autonomists, continued in the government of the Villa. The Spanish Army remained in the barracks. On December 3, First Lieutenant Jesus Rodriguez, Chief of the Plaza, notified the mayor that he had an order to evacuate the Villa and maintain order.
On December 4, 1898, the mambises of the Goicuría Regiment, commanded by Commander Tito Yllera and Captain Martín Alpízar, entered San Antonio de los Baños. They established the Military Command on O'Donnell Street, on the corner of Santa Barbara, today 37th Avenue. The national flag waved at the Ayuntamiento and in the barracks, next to the flag of the United States. The panorama that the visitor found upon his arrival at the Villa del Ariguanabo, was the same that inspired the verses of Bonifacio Byrne:
"With the faith of austere souls,
Today I hold with deep energy,
That two flags should not wave
Where one is enough: mine. "