Antonio Maceo

Maceo protested the Pact of Zanjon, which ended the Ten Years' War without achieving independence or abolishing slavery. He argued that the pact betrayed the revolution's principles, especially for Afro-Cubans.

Maceo led Cuban forces to a decisive victory over Spanish troops at Peralejo. The battle demonstrated his tactical brilliance and inflicted heavy casualties on the Spanish, boosting the independence cause.

Maceo co-led the invasion of western Cuba with Maximo Gomez, marching from east to west. The campaign broke Spanish defensive lines and brought the war to the island's most economically important region.

Maceo was killed in a skirmish with Spanish forces at San Pedro, near Havana. His death was a major blow to the Cuban independence movement and made him a martyr for the cause.