The blood that took lives in the Cuban countryside during the ten-year struggle for sovereignty, was stirring up against the "peace proposal" that the Spanish government agreed on 10 February 1878 by politicians and military leaders of the island, although none of the objectives of the war had been accomplished: independence and the abolition of slavery.
The blood that took lives in the Cuban countryside during the ten-year struggle for sovereignty, was stirring up against the "peace proposal" that the Spanish government agreed on 10 February 1878 by politicians and military leaders of the island, although none of the objectives of the war had been accomplished: independence and the abolition of slavery.
The Pact of Zanjón was not accepted by the General Antonio Maceo or by another group of mambises and officers, then they all brought together on Los Mangos de Baraguá, Santiago de Cuba with the Spanish General Arsenio Martínez Campos on March 15, 1878.
It was a difficult interview, gallantry and shame of the brave Cubans was represented in the figure of the Bronze Titan who when was asked by Martinez Campos about the time needed to resume hostilities upright he replied: "eight days."
And it was one of the mambises accompanying Maceo which shouted the words that lasts until today among Cubans: “el 23se rompe el Corojo” (a statement of intention to breakthe pact)," hours later, the Spanish General wrote: "History will judge who has been right on this issue."
In February 2000, Cubans gathered again in the same place, where we had "the most worthy and beautiful libertarian feat of the Fatherland" took place, as the National Hero José Martí considered about that event. It was time to pass the "Oath of Baraguá," a document in which the determination of the people to resist, to fight and win is reaffirmed.
After 138 years of the most glorious page in the struggle for independence of this land, the historical reason and morality showed by Maceo in the Protest of Baraguá still stands facing the new challenges of the Cuban Revolution and is today a source of inspiration for new generations of patriots.
Translation: Liubis Balart Martinez