Gabriel Barceló Gomila

He was a paradigm of the Cuban student movement

He was born in La Habana on May 9, 1907. His childhood was full of beautiful moments of selflessness, trying to alleviate the misery in those humble homes, where the economic situation was precarious. His teachers defined him as a good student, with a high sense of companionship and chivalry. Gabriel felt inhibited when someone praised his good actions and very happy when he carried them out.

In September 1924 he graduated with a degree in sciences and letters from the Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de La Habana, beginning his law studies at the University, where his personality flourished and he joined those who, like him, were opposed to the tyrant Gerardo Machado. The struggle to prevent the extension of powers imposed on the country highlighted him within the student movement.

He was part of the Directorio Estudiantil Universitario and was expelled from the prestigious center of studies along with a group of students, after the events of March 30, 1927. A year later he was exiled, after suffering imprisonment in Cuba, for his revolutionary activities. He arrived in the United States and there he joined anti-Machado groups. His dignified and consistent attitude left indelible memories among his fellow fighters, who always tried to imitate his example.

In 1930 Barceló returned clandestinely to his homeland and rejoined the struggle. He was detained in Pinar del Río and interned in La Cabaña, from where he was transferred to the Presidio Modelo on the Isle of Pines, for a period of two years. In prison he filled everyone with his faith in the triumph of Socialism until his exile to Spain.

Life in prison and the difficult economic situation of exile seriously damaged his fragile health, which upon his return to Cuba was greatly weakened, but nothing could prevent him from remaining in the front line of the political and social struggles that shook the country. On November 27, 1933 he spoke from the podium of the Mausoleum to the medical students of the University, which constituted his final speech.

The distinguished young revolutionary suffered from tuberculous meningitis, a disease that caused him a harsh and anguished agony and even so from the hospital, this brave man tried to keep abreast of the course of revolutionary events. His heart stopped beating on February 3, 1934. He was 26 years old, entirely devoted to the Homeland and to Socialism.