The Armando Mestre Martínez medal gleams on Ángel Arredondo Báez’s chest. It is not merely a decoration; it represents more than 25 years of uninterrupted work in construction—a record that this man, a native of the municipality of Jobabo, holds with humility and determination.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Just a few days ago, the Construction and Assembly Company (Conalza in Spanish) in Las Tunas received the National Vanguard flag at the Veguita solar photovoltaic park. There, amid the excavated ground, a ceremony was held during which this medal was also awarded to men who, like Ángel, have dedicated their lives to this important service and are now building solar photovoltaic parks.

-How does it feel to be awarded this medal?

“I feel happy. It is recognition of the effort I have made over these more than 25 years.”

But he does not see the medal as an endpoint. He carries it as further encouragement in the new mission that he and his team have at hand.

"We have a truly demanding mission, and we have fulfilled it. We’ve tackled it with all the dedication it deserves. We work hard on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Currently, he and his colleagues are staying in the county seat, traveling miles every day to reach these 32 hectares that will soon become one of the most important solar parks in the region.

“The biggest beneficiary of the work we’re doing today is the people of Las Tunas. All of us,” he says.

His professional track record speaks for itself. He has worked on the Nueva Línea solar park, the 220 kV substation, and also on the construction of the rolling mills at the Las Tunas Stainless Steel Company (Acinox in Spanish).

“We were the ones who built the rolling mills, the 400,” he recalls with a clear memory. "We aren’t industrial assemblers. We’re a brigade from Micons (Ministry of Construction).”

That’s why, when he looks at the before-and-after of the current photovoltaic park, his face lights up. “This was nothing, and now it’s been transformed; little by little, it’s taking shape, coming to life. We already have experience with this kind of project.”

The conversation turns to personal matters. He is 64 years old. He is set to retire in September and assures us that, yes, it is time to take a break.

"It has been many years of a very tough ‘battle.’ But one of enormous fulfillment, because whenever you work for the benefit of the people, you feel inspired.

“The life of a builder is hard; there’s a lot of work, and the jobs are difficult. But you have to face them, because it’s for the benefit of everyone.”

In the end, as he’s already thinking about hanging up his hard hat, the question of how he feels when he sees a project completed was inevitable. His answer was spot-on: “I feel proud, happy.”

Ángel Arredondo Báez is retiring from construction soon, but his legacy lives on in every solar park. The Armando Mestre Martínez Medal is not a consolation prize. It is, as he says, “recognition of his efforts.”