PINAR DEL RIO, Cuba. – As on January 17, 1959, the people of Pinar del Rio, on Wednesday night, evoked the arrival of the Caravan of Freedom under the command of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and his companions.

The ceremony was presided over by the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in the province, Gladys Martinez Verdecia, leaders of the political body in the territory, along with students, combatants and a large representation of people.

Rene Martinez Sanchez was one of the men with olive-green uniform who accompanied then Fidel during the journey of the Caravan of Freedom, from Guanajay to the city of Pinar del Rio.

Very excited, Martinez Sanchez remembers that moment, when the leader of the Revolution, using a truck as a grandstand, summoned the people to continue fighting.