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Holguín is in mourning following the death of Eleuterio Estrada Valdez, the city's most beloved peanut vendor, renowned for his phrases that accompanied the daily lives of generations of residents.
The profile Holguín en Fotos confirmed the news this Thursday via Facebook, with a farewell message remembering him as a local institution and a beloved figure of popular culture.
"With deep sadness, we say goodbye today to a man who knew how to win the hearts of the people of Holguín and those who visit us. Eleuterio was not just another vendor; he was an institution in our city. His unique and catchy calls became the soundtrack of life in Holguín," they published.
The message also recalled some of his most famous phrases, such as "I trade peanuts for money," "Without money, there are no peanuts," or "Pretty women don’t pay, but they don’t eat either," which over time became part of the popular speech in eastern Cuba.
According to the profile, Eleuterio was born in Jiguaní, Granma, on August 8, 1955, and moved to Holguín after completing his military service.
He worked as a bricklayer there for two decades before turning to self-employment.
First, he sold recycled clothing and later peanuts, a profession to which he dedicated the last 25 years of his life.
His charm and his calls made him a beloved figure among locals, visitors, and tourists, highlighted the profile in another post.
"Perhaps some of the foreign visitors reading this post have bought peanuts, so we can say it is from Holguín and for the world," they added from the page.
The post was accompanied by photographs showing the vendor walking the streets with his cone of peanuts and his usual smile.
"Thank you, friend Eleuterio, for the best peanuts, for the smile, for the cone that you didn’t want to charge me for. Rest in peace, your people will not forget you," concludes the heartfelt message.
In recent days, Cuba has bid farewell to several prominent figures in the cultural and sports landscape, amidst a deep social and health crisis that makes each loss even more painful.
Among them is Hermes Ramírez Silva, the director of the emblematic Steel Band of El Cobre, who dedicated his life to preserving a musical genre that, despite its Caribbean roots, has now become part of the national sound heritage.
The death of Julio Noroña, a founding member of Los Van Van, has also caused deep sorrow. He made a significant impact in the realm of Cuban popular dance music with his flute.
His unmistakable style and artistic legacy leave an indelible mark on the auditory history of the country.
In the sports realm, the loss of Juan Francisco Centelles is mourned, a prominent athlete who represented Cuba in numerous international competitions and became a symbol of effort and discipline.
His figure remains one of the most memorable in Cuban athletics of the last few decades.
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