Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- With the presence of the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the former town of Santiago de Cuba celebrated its 508th anniversary this Tuesday in a Solemn Session of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power.

In the context of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada Barracks (July 26), the main hall of the Heredia Theater was attended by the Commanders of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and Guillermo García Frías; Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz; and the president of the Cuban Parliament Esteban Lazo Hernández.

Also present were the Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, Gerardo Hérnandez and Fernando González; ministers and deputy ministers; the main political and governmental authorities of the province; leaders of organizations and associations, international solidarity brigades, directors of entities and 262 district delegates.

During the day, the president of the municipal conclave, Yaneidis Hechavarría, gave Milagros Rivera Pérez, representative of the solidarity movement 'Juan Rius Rivera', the recognition of "Distinguished Visitor"; to the Mayor's Office of Lamentin, in Martinique, the Key of the City; and to the friendship caravan 'Pastors for Peace', in the person of Gail Walker, the Coat of Arms of Santiago de Cuba.

During the activity, the "Merit for Work", a distinction instituted for the only time, was awarded to the fighters of the Rebel Army, Antonio Ducasse, last living member in the territory of the column 8 'Ciro Redondo', led by Ernesto Che Guevara, and Arnaldo Cuzcó Verdecia, clandestine fighter and member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).

Enlivened by young artists of the demarcation, the event also recognized the work of six delegates of districts and the municipal directorates of Education, Culture, Sports, Health, the Ministry of Interior and the FAR.

"We came to this celebration because history reserves a special place for us and because this people, its workers and peasants leaders, its workers and students have earned it for their results, creativity and optimism," Hechavarría said.

For her part, the governor of the province, Beatriz Johnson thanked and congratulated the work of the territory and called to continue working hard with enthusiasm, unity and fervor to obtain greater economic and social achievements.

On July 25, 1515, the Adelantado Diego Velázquez, first governor of the Antillean island, founded the seventh Cuban villa, which owes its name to the patron saint of Spain, Santiago Apóstol.