José A. Figueroa Vélis

Colonel of the Liberating Army. Physician by profession.

Born in Matanzas. Participated in the War of 68.
In July 1869 he was appointed head of sanitation of Las Villas and ratified in that position by presidential decree on April 4, 1870, being subordinate to Major General Adolfo Fernández Cavada.

He attended to Major General Máximo Gómez on the only occasion he was wounded in that war on January 6, 1875 during the crossing of the Trocha de Júcaro a Morón

On November 5, 1875 he had a personal altercation with Major General Julio Sanguily, second in command of the invading forces, whom he assaulted by firing a revolver shot in front of the assembled troops. This incident was prolonged with the immediate intervention of Julio's brother, Colonel Manuel Sanguily. For such insubordination Gómez referred him to the courts, but ultimately he was not sanctioned, since after performing office work at government headquarters for a few days, he returned to active service in the Liberating Army.

He was promoted to Colonel on March 26, 1876.

He died in the combat of San Miguel, in Las Villas on March 8, 1877.