Cuba, Republic. A Group of Nine Distinction and Commemorative Medals

1. (Distinción Jesús Suárez Gayol) Jesús Suárez Gayol Distinction, gilt bronze, obverse bearing the portrait and name of Jesús Suárez Gayol, reverse with the emblem and inscription SINDICATO NAC. TRAB. AZUCAREROS (National Union of Sugar Workers) within a cogwheel, suspended from its red and green striped ribbon with minor wear to ribbon bar, measuring 30.4 mm x 34.9 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

2. (Medalla Conmemorativa de la Alfabetización) Commemorative Medal of the Literacy Campaign, gilt bronze, obverse showing a lantern before a book  with the word alfabetización (literacy), reverse depicting the Cuban coat of arms encircled by República de Cuba Consejo de Estado (Republic of Cuba Council of State), suspended from its green, white, and red ribbon showing slight fading, measuring 30.1 mm x 35.3 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

3. (Distinción Por la Cultura Nacional) Distinction for National Culture, gilt bronze, obverse with laurel branch and inscription Por la Cultura Nacional (For National Culture), reverse showing a star above the inscription República de Cuba Ministerio de Cultura (Republic of Cuba Ministry of Culture), suspended from its blue and white striped ribbon with slight staining, measuring 30.1 mm x 34.7 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

4. (Distinción René Ramos Latour) René Ramos Latour Distinction, gilt bronze, obverse displaying the bust of René Ramos Latour with his name, reverse bearing the emblem and inscription SNTIQME Cuba – Sind. Nac. Trab. Industrias Química La Minería Y Energética (National Union of Chemical, Mining, and Energy Industry Workers of Cuba), suspended from its red, white, and black ribbon showing slight staining, measuring 30.3 mm x 34.7 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

5. (Medalla XXX Aniversario de Radio Rebelde 1958–1988) 30th Anniversary of Radio Rebelde Medal, silvered bronze, obverse showing a radio operator at his transmitter with the inscription XXX Aniversario de Radio Rebelde 1958–1988 (30th Anniversary of Radio Rebelde 1958–1988), reverse bearing the coat of arms and inscription Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (Cuban Institute of Radio and Television), suspended from its blue and white ribbon, measuring 32.3 mm x 37.1 mm.

6. (Distinción Por el Servicio en el Ministerio del Interior) Distinction for Service in the Ministry of the Interior, bronze, obverse featuring a five-pointed star over a roman numeral X, reverse inscribed Por el Servicio en el Ministerio del Interior (For Service in the Ministry of the Interior), suspended from its light-blue ribbon with white stripes showing slight staining, measuring 30.1 mm x 35.2 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

7. (Distinción Álvaro Barba Machado) Álvaro Barba Machado Distinction, gilt bronze, obverse with portrait and name of Álvaro Barba Machado, reverse with the emblem and inscription SNTAF – Sind. Nac. Trab. Agropecuarios y Forestales (National Union of Agricultural and Forestry Workers), suspended from its green ribbon with red central stripe, measuring 30.7 mm x 35.0 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

8. (Distinción Mártires de Barbados) Barbados Martyrs Distinction (for sporting merit), gilt bronze, obverse with three flaming torches symbolising sacrifice and athletic excellence, reverse inscribed República de Cuba INDER Listos para Vencer (Republic of Cuba INDER Ready to Overcome), suspended from its multicoloured ribbon of blue, yellow, black, green, and red, measuring 30.7 mm x 35.0 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

9. (Distinción Mario Muñoz) Mario Muñoz Distinction, gilt bronze, obverse showing the portrait and name of Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy, reverse with the emblem and inscription SNTC – Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Comunicaciones (National Union of Communications Workers), suspended from its light-blue ribbon with central white stripe, measuring 30.3 mm x 34.7 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar.

All in fine to extremely fine condition . 

Footnote: These distinctions and commemorative medals were issued by various Cuban state institutions and national labour unions to recognise professional excellence, loyalty, and contributions to national development. Figures such as Jesús Suárez Gayol, René Ramos Latour, Álvaro Barba Machado, and Mario Muñoz symbolised Cuban revolutionary sacrifice within their respective industries, while medals like the Por la Cultura Nacional and De la Alfabetización commemorated major social and cultural milestones of the revolutionary period. The Mártires de Barbados distinction, issued by the Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Educación Física y Recreación (INDER), honours the victims of the 1976 Barbados air disaster and outstanding merit in sport. Together these decorations illustrate the breadth of Cuba’s socialist honours system from the 1960s to 1980s, encompassing sectors from education and culture to communications, forestry, and national security.