On Tuesday, The Cuban workers' movement pays tribute to union leader Lazaro Peña, known as the Captain of the working class, on his 51st death anniversary.

Havana, Cuba.- Tributes will be held nationwide and the main commemoration will take place at Havana’s Cristobal Colon cemetery, where Cuban workers will make a pilgrimage to place wreaths in the Revolutionary Armed Forces pantheon, where his remains lie.

Lazaro Peña was born in Havana on May 29, 1911. He started working as an apprentice in various trades at the age of 12 and soon became involved in rallies advocating for workers’ rights.

For his revolutionary activity, he was repeatedly imprisoned. Because of his prestige, he was elected in 1934 as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), general secretary of the Tobacco Workers Union, and member of the Executive Committee of the National Workers Confederation of Cuba (CNOC).

He was at the head of the CNOC during the general strike of March 1935. Lazaro Peña was elected general secretary of the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC) in 1939.

Every May 29, the Day of Tobacco Workers is celebrated in Cuba in his honor. (PL)