Juan Almeida Bosque

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Juan Almeida Bosque (born February 17th, 1927) is the third ranking member of the Cuban Council of State and one of the original commanders of the Cuban Revolution. He is one of only a few individuals who have received the honorary title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba.

Whilst attending the University of Havana in 1952, he became close friends with the revolutionary Fidel Castro and in March of that year joined the Cuban revolution. In 1953 he was arrested and imprisoned in the Isle of Pines Prison for ten years. During the amnesty of May 15, 1955, he was released and transferred to Mexico. In following years, he joined revolutionary battles in Cuba and in 1958 was promoted to Commander and head of the Santiago Column of the Revolutionary Army. After the Cuban revolution ended in 1959 he was established a General of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba and was chosen as a member of the central committee and political bureau.

Almeida also currently heads the National Association of Veterans and Combatants of the Revolution. His interests include writing and music, of which several books and recordings have been made including the popular cuban trilogy - "Military prison", "Exile" and "Disembarkation". He presently resides in Havana.