Tomás San Gil

Tomás David Pérez Díaz (29 December 1939 – 28 February 1963), alias Tomás San Gil, was a Cuban anti-communist rebel and one of the leaders of the Escambray rebellion. After the death of Osvaldo Ramírez García, he took command of the rebel forces. He was killed in battle with government forces.

Early life Born into a family of Creole agrarian bourgeoisie in Trinidad, Cuba, he studied at the Catholic school Sancti Spiritus. He was involved in commercial business and later became the manager of his uncle's estate, the landowner Rómulo Díaz, who was a representative of the agricultural company Ponciano Land Company. According to official Cuban sources, Tomás David Pérez Díaz was the type of “dandy on horseback, wearing a black hat and sunglasses.” On the other hand, anti-communist Cuban sources describe him as a “brave and talented” Cuban patriot. Tomás David Pérez strongly disliked the rise to power of Fidel Castro and his communist agenda. He especially rejected the new government's agrarian policies.He took up arms after a heated argument with an official from the INRA about whether his pastures belonged to the people or to San Gil, who paid for them. "I’m going to the mountains," said San Gil. – "Come and find me. I’ll be waiting." In September 1960, he joined the anti-communist rebel resistance in the mountains of Escambray. In January 1963, an attempt to capture him was made, but San Gil managed to evade the pursuit by crossing the Caracusey River.

Death In February 1963, Tomás San Gil decided to hold another meeting of rebel commanders in El Naranjal. He planned to coordinate a new series of attacks. This information reached the State Security Organs. Agents were sent to the village, and troops were gathered. The group led by San Gil managed to break through the barrier. Furthermore, San Gil voluntarily returned to the battlefield to help the surrounded Saavedra and was killed in a shootout. The battle ended the following day: 11 rebels and 27 government soldiers were killed. After the death of Tomás San Gil, Julio Emilio Carretero took command of the ELN.

Personality and family According to accounts from people who knew him, Tomás San Gil was the first to attack and last to retreat. At the same time, he combined courage with an "innate, strategic mind." He was very popular among the rebels (on his 23rd birthday, he was given a birthday cake at his hideout, although this involved many risks). Externally, Tomás San Gil is described as a short young man, but with great physical strength. He was not married, but his mother, Doña Benilde Díaz, and his sister, Conchita, actively participated in the rebellion. These women organized material supplies and informed the group about the situation outside the combat zone. Both were arrested and mistreated numerous times and interrogated relentlessly. Contemporary attitudes towards Tomás San Gil, like those towards Osvaldo Ramírez García, depend on ideology and political orientation. Cuban officials characterize him as a bandit and counterrevolutionary; Cuban dissidents, as heroes of the struggle for liberation.