Brigadier General José Luis Mesa Delgado, a figure known for his role in some of Cuba's most contentious historical episodes, died on the morning of Wednesday, January 14, at the age of 88, as per a statement released by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Described by the ministry as a former member of the 26th of July Movement and a combatant in the Clandestine Struggle, the Rebel Army, and the Fight Against Bandits, Mesa Delgado had a nearly six-decade tenure with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior.
Nonetheless, his passing brings renewed focus on his involvement in the controversial execution of General Arnaldo Ochoa Sánchez, a significant moment in Cuba’s recent history. On July 13, 1989, Ochoa was executed alongside Antonio de la Guardia, Jorge Martínez Valdés, and Amado Padrón Trujillo by a firing squad of six, led by then-Colonel Mesa Delgado, near the Baracoa airbase west of Havana.
At the time of his death, Mesa Delgado had attained the rank of brigadier general. He had previously served as a colonel, overseeing a special troops training center in Los Palacios, Pinar del Río, as noted by journalist Aldo Luberta Martínez.
"After the executions, Mesa Delgado fired two coup de grâce shots into each body. Everyone feared him. He was a sinister figure, devoid of empathy. Worse than Ramiro Valdés," Luberta Martínez remarked in his article.
After Fidel Castro rose to power, Mesa Delgado held various high-level positions, participated in an international mission in Angola, joined the Communist Party of Cuba in 1966, and was a delegate at several PCC congresses.
Fulfilling a family request, Mesa's body will be cremated, and his ashes will be taken to Villa Clara province.
According to the MININT, he was awarded numerous honors, including the June 6th Order of the First Degree and recognitions related to the clandestine struggle, the liberation war, and internationalism.
Mesa Delgado's name appears on a list of Cuban repressors for alleged international crimes, including physical assault, abuse, and complicity in homicide. He has also been accused of suppressing fundamental rights like assembly, protest, association, and petition.
Cuban Historical Events and Figures: FAQs
Who was General José Luis Mesa Delgado?
General José Luis Mesa Delgado was a brigadier general in Cuba known for his involvement in the execution of General Arnaldo Ochoa Sánchez in 1989. He held various posts in the Revolutionary Armed Forces and was a member of the Communist Party of Cuba.
What role did Mesa Delgado play in the execution of Arnaldo Ochoa?
Mesa Delgado led the firing squad responsible for executing General Arnaldo Ochoa Sánchez and three others on July 13, 1989, near the Baracoa airbase in Cuba.
What were some of the accusations against Mesa Delgado?
Mesa Delgado was included on a list of Cuban repressors for alleged crimes such as physical assault, abuse, and complicity in homicide. He has also been accused of repressing rights like assembly and protest.