Miguel F. Viondi

Miguel Francisco Viondi y Vera was a prominent Cuban lawyer and political figure active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a significant role in Cuba's legal and political landscape during the island's transition from Spanish colonial rule to independence.

Life When José Martí moved back to Cuba after his first period of exile in Spain, Viondi formed a close friendship with him, along with Nicolás Azcárate y Escobedo, and Juan Gualberto Gómez. The four men became drinking buddies at the "Liceo de Guanabacoa."

In August 1879, the Little War began.

On September 17, 1879, Spanish colonial authorities arrested José Martí in Havana for the second time. dated October 13, 1879, written after his second deportation to Spain. Soon after this, Martí escaped to France, and then to the United States, where he remained for the next fourteen years. Initially, he had intended to wait until April to make this request, hoping to establish himself and secure financial stability before bringing his family. However, within days of being in New York, he became certain that the city offered promising opportunities and declared, “It is here... that I will live.” His eloquent defense highlighted the lack of substantial evidence and procedural irregularities in the trial.

In 1899, Viondi was among the founders of the Cuban National League (Liga Nacional Cubana), an organization that sought national independence, decentralization of power to the provinces, and the establishment of a democratic republican government. The league later merged with the Cuban National Party, reflecting the dynamic political environment of the time. This commission was responsible for drafting and revising laws to modernize Cuba's legal framework, transitioning from outdated Spanish legislation to a more autonomous system. stands in his honor. (Coordinates: ) Viondi's house is next to the park, but the park and the house have been eroding due to a lack of public funds to maintain them. The Museum of Guanabacoa has been trying to maintain local history, but the Cuban economy have forced local citizens to re-use materials from abandoned properties like Viondi's house - ceiling tiles, flooring, and precious metals. Almost every surface of the home have been vandalized. To protect the marble bust from further erosion, a representative of the local government covered the whole statue in white paint, but this has covered up the plaque.