José Antonio Gómez Bullones

Hero of popular resistance against the English in 1762, known to history as Pepe Antonio. Alderman, chief mayor of Guanabacoa, from 1748 to 1762.

We know little about his life. In fact, sources even contradict each other about his name. Tradition would have us call him José Antonio Gómez Bullones, but some sources indicate that Antonio was his first surname. There is also no clarity about the date of his birth and although tradition, with the general consensus of historians, indicates that he was born in Guanabacoa on December 10, 1707, some sources claim it was in 1704.

In 1727 he enrolled in the Militias of his town. He was quickly promoted to captain in 1732 and until 1748 he assumed the coastal defense of the north of the current Havana province, to the east of the Cuban capital, between the localities of Cojímar and Jaruco.

It occurred as part of the Seven Years' War. When the English landed on the Havana coast, on June 7, 1762, Pepe Antonio organized a party of 70 men to confront the invaders. They say that at the head of his troops he charged with machete against the English, prefiguring the brave deeds that in the following century would be performed by Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo.

Documents from that time abound with accounts of his exploits. From June 7 to 13 he sustained several combats against the invaders, from whom he took more than fifty prisoners. On the 18th, he attacked an enemy camp and caused them several deaths; on the 23rd, he attacked a patrol causing numerous casualties.

According to some researchers, in a month and a half of fighting he caused more than 300 casualties to the English and took more than 200 prisoners. Legend has it that, filled with envy, the inept and arrogant Spanish colonel Francisco Caro removed Pepe Antonio from command.

The Guanabacoense, oral tradition affirms, died on July 26, 1762, as a result of the distress caused by such an unjust measure.

Days later, Spanish authorities surrendered to the English and they were able to enter La Habana victorious. A year later, Spain would reestablish its control over the capital of Cuba.

But differences between the Spanish and the island Creoles were already beginning to become evident, who little by little were transforming themselves into Cubans and would soon understand that their destiny was to found a free and sovereign nation on this land.

Significance

His name, Pepe Antonio, is in Cuba synonymous with freedom, valor, love of the homeland. An unwavering defender of national integrity, he has become legend through the centuries.

His case is not that of the mythical English Robin Hood; there is no doubt whatsoever that he really existed, documents from that time describe him as the alderman chief mayor of Guanabacoa, on the outskirts of La Habana, and repeatedly mention his exploits and deeds. With the contributions of each new generation, popular imagery has been transforming him into a kind of Cuban William Tell, the Cid Campeador of the Antilles. Therefore, for the historian and scholar it becomes increasingly difficult to separate, in his case, myth from reality.

The truth is that Pepe Antonio, hero of popular resistance against the English in 1762 and paradigm of our people in the struggle against any invader, lived in an era when Cubans did not yet constitute a nationality.

Curiosities

In the Historical Museum of Guanabacoa, the most valuable piece kept is the machete used in 1762 by the popular hero Pepe Antonio, who is remembered as the first Cuban guerrilla fighter, who was in charge of the counterattack and resistance of the city during the Taking of La Habana by the English.

Pepe Antonio is mentioned in a verse of the Hymn of Guanabacoa.

Source: Ecured