President of Association of Cuban Journalists Dies

The president of the Association of Cuban Journalists (UPEC), Antonio Molto, passed away from cancer in Havana at the age of 74.

Molto, with more than 50 years of work, stood out for his professionalism and revolutionary spirit, qualities that contributed to gain the respect, sympathy and affection of his colleagues.

Before the Revolution, he worked with the 26 de Julio Movement, participated in protests and demonstrations, attended the funeral procession of young martyr, Frank País, and took part in the April 1958 strike.

After the revolutionary triumph in January 1959, he became a founding member of the Association of Young Rebels and other organizations such as the Revolutionary National Militias, the Cuban Workers Federation and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

He also participated in important calls taken place those years, such as four sugarcane harvests, agricultural works, currency exchange, nationalizations, literacy campaigns and anti-polio vaccination campaign.

He also took part in mobilizations of combative alert during the U.S.-sponsored mercenary invasion on Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) in central Cuba, the October missile crisis, and others.

He joined the UPEC in 1967 and became a member of the Cuban Communist Party in 1970, according to an official note issued in Havana.

Antonio Molto spared no effort, even at the expense of his health and his time, to maintain unity, professionalism of the guild, his ethical performance and dignify the work of the press, according to a statement posted by Cubaperiodista website.

He received the Jose Marti National Journalism Award for his lifetime achievement, the National Radio Award and the replica of Generalissimo Maximo Gomez's machete. He was elected as president of UPEC in July 2013.