Mariano Corona Ferrer: A Santiago-rooted Journalist

Since the early 1990s, Cuba celebrates Press Day on March 14. This action pays tribute to the first issue of “Patria” newspaper, created by Jose Marti in 1892, which became the Official Organ of the Cuban Revolutionary Party since its 176th issue.

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The Excelencias Group invites you to learn more about the journalistic work developed by Mariano Corona Ferrer as a correspondent of such organ, as well as his participation in the pro-independence wars.

Mariano Corona Ferrer was born on October 15, 1870, in Santiago de Cuba. He was a brave, determined, talented and spirited man. “El Divino Maestro” was his first college.

Mariano Corona joined the pro-independence cause during the Necessary War in 1895. He became a Major of the Liberating Army and he was praised by Antonio Maceo Grajales and Lieutenant General Maximo Gomez due to his nobility as a patriot and reporter.

Eduardo Yero Buduen’s printing house opened the doors of journalism for him. Step by step, he went into the productive routines of this noble profession and acquired new tools that helped him become a press correspondent. “El Triunfo” was a daily newspaper, characterized by the revolutionary fervor at the time, and Corona was the editor.

His career led him to hold different positions like president of the typographer’s labor union in Santiago de Cuba, 1983, and correspondent of “Patria” newspaper, where he stood out because of his truthful writing. His work was characterized by a dynamic style, with irony and fine sense of humor. He also liked writing short stories and chronicles.

On August 3, 1895, general Antonio Maceo Grajales ordered the reappearance of “El Cubano Libre” newspaper, which was founded by Carlos Manuel de Cespedes within the framework of the pro-independence war in 1868. Patriot Mariano Corona was appointed director of this newspaper.

Nearly a hundred issues were published in those years. This newspaper was still active in Santiago de Cuba during the first half of the 20th century. After the death of Corona Ferrer, Desiderio Ortiz Fajardo was appointed director.     

Mariano Corona Ferrer passed away in Havana on April 18, 1912, and his mortal remains were taken to “Santa Ifigenia” cemetery, in his hometown. The Eastern Journalism School was named after him and, since 2009, the Journalists League in Santiago de Cuba has been giving the “Mariano Corona Ferrer” Provincial Journalism Award for the Work of a Lifetime.