The local radio station MHW La Reina Radial del Centro announced on Thursday the passing of José Gómez Pinto, affectionately known as "Látigo" Gómez. He was a celebrated catcher for the Azucareros teams and a revered sports figure in both Sagua and Villa Clara. "Our deepest condolences go out to his family, the sports community of Sagua, and all those who admired and respected him," the station shared on their social media platform.
Additionally, the station highlighted that the esteemed athlete was the father of Hanny Gómez Méndez, one of the most beloved and respected voices on the province's state radio. Tragically, she passed away just a day before her father.
The news of "Látigo" Gómez's death was met with sorrow across social media platforms. Alfredo García Pimentel commented, "Sagua la Grande remains in mourning. We have just confirmed the death of José Gómez Pinto." Similarly, Osmany Hernández Ruiz expressed his grief: "Yesterday it was Hanny Gómez, today her father, my baseball coach, team director, and above all, a dear friend. He couldn't withstand the recent hardships in his life. I feel immense sadness, and I know many of his friends, who are also mine, share this pain. It's even harder being far away and unable to be there for him in his final moments. My condolences to his sisters and the entire family. Farewell, José Gómez Pinto."
In recent news, the prominent Cuban doctor Juan Bautista Mendilahaxon López passed away in Cienfuegos at the age of 74, as reported by his family. "A good man has died: our father. Juan Bautista Mendilahaxon López, you live on in our hearts," his son Erik Mendilahaxon Pina shared on social media, noting it was just a month before his father's 75th birthday.
Moreover, a few days ago, Dr. Jorge González Pérez, a well-known Cuban forensic specialist who led the search for Che Guevara's remains, died in Havana at 72. The Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, announced the news on social media, yet did not disclose the cause of death.