Constitución de Jimaguayú: Un verdadero hito en la historia de Cuba

The Constitution of Jimaguayú, signed on September 16, 1895, remains a significant milestone in Cuban history, representing the third of four constitutions drafted by independence forces during the 19th century. The document emerged from a Constituent Assembly that began on September 13, 1895, in the Jimaguayú region of Camagüey, a site historically noted for the death of Major Ignacio Agramonte during the Ten Years’ War.

The drafting process sought to address long-standing tensions regarding the balance of power between civil and military leadership, a conflict that had persisted since the 1869 Constitution of Guáimaro. The Jimaguayú text aimed to foster unity among revolutionary forces by establishing a structure that granted autonomy to the military command while maintaining a civil government.

The Constitution established a Council of Government composed of six members, responsible for executive and legislative powers. This structure was designed to avoid interference with the military leadership, which was headed by General-in-Chief Máximo Gómez. The document also officially designated Antonio Maceo as Lieutenant General. These appointments were intended to provide clear, authoritative leadership for the revolutionary movement.

On September 16, 1895, Salvador Cisneros Betancourt and Bartolomé Masó were appointed as President and Vice President of the Republic in Arms, respectively. Other leadership roles were filled by Carlos Roloff, Severo Pina Estrada, Santiago García Cañizares, and Rafael Portuondo Tamayo. The Constitution included a provision requiring a new Constituent Assembly to be convened within two years if the war had not yet concluded, a measure intended to ensure the government remained responsive to the evolving conditions of the conflict.

Historians note that the document reflected the influence of José Martí, the founder of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, who had been killed in action at Dos Ríos on May 19, 1895. Although Martí did not live to see the assembly, his vision for a republic based on the dignity of the individual and social unity served as a guiding principle for the delegates. The Constitution of Jimaguayú remained in effect until it was succeeded by the Constitution of La Yaya on October 29, 1897.

Article and image source: adelante.cu