Héctor Eduardo Pérez Mata, one of the founding members still active at the weekly publication Opciones, part of the Juventud Rebelde publishing house, has died in Havana this Monday due to a liver condition that severely impacted his health.
Pérez began his career at Juventud Rebelde in the 1980s, spending over thirty years immersed in the commercial sector, representing the weekly Opciones at numerous international business fairs.
The state-run newspaper Juventud Rebelde, through its Facebook page, praised his professionalism and dedication, qualities that earned him respect and admiration from both colleagues and clients alike.
Friends and coworkers have expressed deep sorrow over his passing, remembering him as a dedicated, kind-hearted, and beloved individual. Ricardo Ronquillo Bello, national president of the Cuban Journalists Union, remarked, "There are humble souls who mean a lot. Individuals who rarely seek the limelight but support great causes from the modesty of their roles. Héctor Pérez Mata was one of those individuals, and his departure is profoundly painful."
Beyond his professional life, Héctor was a devoted husband, an exemplary father to his daughter Verónica, as well as a loving uncle and friend.
In recent months, the Cuban media landscape has seen the loss of other prominent figures. Last November, Pedro Martínez Pírez passed away at the age of 86. He was considered one of the most significant journalists of Cuba's state-controlled media system.
Martínez Pírez, who was honored with awards such as the National Journalism Prize José Martí and the National Radio Prize, devoted his professional life to advocating for and promoting the Cuban regime's narrative, first through diplomacy and later in state-controlled media.
Additionally, in June, the official Cuban journalistic community bid farewell to Pedro de la Hoz, who died at the age of 71 after a courageous battle with cancer. As remembered by the official newspaper Granma, the José Martí National Journalism Award winner dedicated over three decades to cultural reporting, with his bravery against the illness notably highlighted.
Key Figures in Cuban Journalism
Who was Héctor Eduardo Pérez Mata?
Héctor Eduardo Pérez Mata was a founding member of the weekly publication Opciones and a significant figure in Cuban journalism. He dedicated over 30 years to the field, representing Opciones in international business fairs.
What contributions did Pedro Martínez Pírez make to Cuban media?
Pedro Martínez Pírez was a prominent journalist within Cuba's state-controlled media, known for defending and promoting the Cuban regime's narrative. He was recognized with prestigious awards such as the National Journalism Prize José Martí.