Havana, February 10 (RHC)-- Major General Efigenio Ameijeiras Delgado died in Havana on Sunday due to septic shock. He was 88 years old.

He was born on September 21, 1931, in Chaparra, in the former province of Oriente, into a humble and revolutionary family.

From a very early age, he identified with the young people of the 26th of July Movement, participating actively in actions against the Batista Dictatorship. The persecution to which he was subjected forced to seek exile in Mexico, where he joined the Granma Yacht expedition.

He was a member of the initial nucleus of the nascent Rebel Army and participated in an outstanding way in different combative actions, among them the first victorious action of the guerrilla, the attack to the La Plata barracks, being part of the squadron led by the then Captain Raúl Castro Ruz.

In 1958 he was among the founders of the Second Eastern Front "Frank País", as Second Chief, and Chief of Column No. 6 "Juan Manuel Ameijeiras Delgado". In that same year, he was promoted to the rank of Commander.

Upon the triumph of the Revolution, he was appointed Chief of the National Revolutionary Police. He fought in Playa Girón as Chief of the National Revolutionary Police Battalion that confronted the mercenary invasion and also stood out in the fight against bandits in the Escambray Mountains.

During his military career, he held various responsibilities, including Chief of the General Staff of the Central Army and Deputy Chief Minister of Combat Readiness. He was promoted in military grade to Major General.

He was part of the contingent of Cuban troops that carried out internationalist missions in the republics of Algeria and Angola.

His merits earned him the status of founder of the Cuban Communist Party and the honorary title of "Hero of the Republic of Cuba".

At the request of Major General Efigenio Ameijeiras Delgado, his body was cremated and there will be a graveside ceremony on Tuesday, February 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Veterans' Pantheon in the Colon Cemetery, where his funeral services will be held.