Cuba commemorates today the 114th anniversary of the birth of labour leader Lázaro Peña (1911-1974), an important fighter for the causes of the trade union movement in the Caribbean island and the world.

Born in a neighbourhood in the capital, he stood out from the early age of 18 for his activism in the clandestine Communist Party and the trade union movement of the time, where he was involved in anti-imperialist activities.

After a stint in workers’ and trade union organisations, Peña became the leader of the Confederation of Cuban Workers, founded on 28 January 1939. In 1973 he headed the department of Mass Organisations in the Central Committee of the Communist Party.

The prestige and strength of the labour leader’s work transcended the Caribbean island and contributed to the founding of the Confederation of Latin American Workers and the World Federation of Trade Unions.

Among his outstanding qualities were his ability to mobilise the masses in a simple way, his authority, honesty and political acumen, according to trade union leaders and intellectuals who shared his historic period.