The renowned Cuban historian, essayist and writer Newton Briones Montoto, 82, was murdered in Havana under unknown circumstances.
The news has moved Cuban intellectuals and people from other countries who regret the tragic event, which adds to the growing wave of crimes plaguing the country.
“No blockade. Sad message. He died in Havana, apparently murdered for robbery, the intellectual writer Newton Briones. He was my friend and his death leaves an incurable void in his generation. Rest in peace,” the Miami-based Cuban journalist expressed on his Facebook wall. Max Lesnik Menendez.
Facebook recording / Max Lesnik Menendez
journalist Carlos Cabrera On his Facebook profile, he reported on the versions he had of the 81-year-old writer's cause of death, which occurred “after hitting his head on the ground.”
“The would have suffered an attack a few days ago around 6 a.m. while taking his daily walk along 5th Street. Avenue. The other thing is this He would have argued with someone who attacked him. Another passerby found him unconscious on the ground and took him to Finlay Hospital (Marianao Military),” he described.
Cabrera described the late intellectual as “an intelligent and sincere man who told things as they were, even when they turned out badly or did not agree with the official version.”
Facebook screenshot / Carlos Cabrera Perez
“He was the founder of the State Security, in 1989 he was dismissed from the MININT … historian who in recent years developed remarkable research on the Republican period and published several books on crucial topics in Cuban history, including the controversial Marquitos case. Before Dying he had completed a volume on the death of Jesús Menéndez, which refutes the official story,” he explained.
The UNEAC Writers Association mourned the writer's death with a short note on the Facebook profile of its president Alberto Marrero, which did not mention the cause of death.
Facebook screenshot / Alberto Marrero
Newton Briones Montoto was born in 1941 and graduated in history from the University of Havana.
He worked in the Interior Ministry for 28 years.
As a historian, he specialized in the history of Cuba during the Republican period. His articles have been published in official magazines and for the Granma newspaper.
He wrote several books, including “General Return,” dedicated to the character of Eduardo Chibás.