Manuel de Jesús García García

Manolo, National Prize for Journalism José Martí, passed away at the age of 91.

Known as the "Dean of the Press in Matanzas", Manolo dedicated more than 70 years of his life to practicing journalism in defense of the just and noble causes of the peoples of the world, committed to his time, with his own qualities and keen eloquence.

During his extensive career in the profession, he stood out for his work in radio. He was the founder of the Radio 26 station, which he purchased from its owners on behalf of the July 26 movement in December 1959, and it was the first on the Island established by the nascent Revolution.

A fighter in the clandestine struggle in the city of Matanzas, his denunciations of the Fulgencio Batista regime appeared in local newspapers, which is why he was persecuted. After the assault on the Goicuría barracks, where his brother Reynold was murdered, he had to leave the country.

Manolo García, as a correspondent for the newspaper Revolución in Matanzas, along with cameraman Guillermo Miró, was among the first to arrive at Playa Girón on April 17, 1961, during the mercenary invasion, and reported to the world the victory of the Cuban people.

For his tireless work and for training several generations of journalists, Manolo received numerous decorations, such as National Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, Replica of the Machete of Generalísimo Máximo Gómez, and the Distinction for National Culture, among others.

Founder of the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC) and the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), he remained active until the last moments of his life.