Brigadier General Oscar Fernández Mel Passed Away

June 24, 2019

Brigadier General ® of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Oscar Fernández Mel passed away today at the age of 88.

Fernández Mel was born on March 24, 1931 in the central province of Matanzas, where he studied until enrolling in higher education, and graduated in Medicine from the University of La Habana in 1956.

At the end of the 1950s he joined the Rebel Army as a physician and combatant, under the orders of Ernesto Che Guevara. He was a member of Column no. 8 until he was assigned to the Third Front Mario Muñoz.

After the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959, he assumed different responsibilities in the Western Army. He was chief of medical services of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Fernández Mel participated in the victory over mercenary troops at Playa Girón and for his outstanding career trajectory he deserved several decorations.

Furthermore, he fought with Argentine-Cuban guerrilla fighter Ernesto Che Guevara in the internationalist mission in Congo in 1965, where he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Cuban contingent.

He served as Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba. He presided over the Government of Ciudad de La Habana.