In the early hours of today, Friday, Dr. José Miguel Miyar Barruecos, better known as Chomy, died in Havana. He was 90 years old.
Born on August 3, 1932 in Siboney, Santiago de Cuba, he was a combatant in the clandestine struggle and the Rebel Army. In 1959 he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Havana. He directed the Rural Medical Service and participated in Playa Girón. Between 1965 and 1966 he served as Vice Minister of Public Health and for six years as Rector of the University of Havana.
From 1980 he held the position of secretary of the Council of State. Later he was Coordinator of the Western Scientific Pole of the capital until 2012. He held different responsibilities in the development of Biotechnology, the creation and operation of the Latin American School of Medicine, which awarded him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. He also received other teaching awards. Between 2009 and 2012 he was head of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
He was a founder of the Communist Party of Cuba, a member of the Central Committee and a deputy to the National Assembly of Popular Power. He received numerous decorations, including the Honorary Title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba in 2012.
His body will be watched at the Calzada y K funeral home starting today at 6:00 pm and buried in the Pantheon of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at 9:00 am on Saturday.
