Cacique Hatuey’s Bust in Independence Park, Baracoa, Guantanamo. Sculpted in bronze by Rita Longa, in 1929. Photo: @DiazCanelB

Havana, Feb 2 (RHC) The first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (CC-PCC) and president of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel commemorated Thursday the Taino chief Hatuey, an emblematic figure of our history, on the 511th anniversary of his death at the hands of Spanish conquistadors.

In his Twitter account, the dignitary highlighted that Hatuey was burned at the stake on February 2, 1512, and his exemplary resistance to the conquest and evangelization made him the first rebel of our lands.

Hatuey arrived in Cuba in 1503 after being expelled by the Spanish conquistadors from his native island: Quisqueya (Hispaniola), which currently includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

He made contact with the Taino natives of eastern Cuba, whom he advised to prepare for the fight against the Spaniards.

Hatuey led all the tribes of the region and launched attacks against the conquistadors settled in Baracoa, the first village until he was captured and condemned to be burned at the stake

Subsequently, he led all the tribes of the region and launched attacks against the conquistadors settled in Baracoa, the first village, until he was captured and condemned to be burned at the stake. (Source: ACN)