In four short years Frank Pais made a critical impact on the course of the Cuban Revolution during which he lived the fullness of several lifetimes. His death left countless loved-ones behind and a country mourned him as a martyr for freedom.

This is the story of one man who inspired a country and changed the heart and the course of the Cuban Revolution....

Frank Pais: Revolutionary, contemporary of Castro, commander of the urban movement by the young age of 20. Frank was a natural leader who used his skill to direct and inspire other like-minded revolutionaries. He was an organizer of the 26 de Julio Movement and leader of the urban underground.

Before Castro’s return to Cuba from Mexico in 1956 where he had been exiled, Frank had effectively organized the cities into revolutionary cells. “Within one year they would be liberators or they would be martyrs” Castro told Frank as he convinced him to join forces, while still in Mexico. Frank’s leadership made it possible for Fidel’s revolution to accelerate as they joined forces in their plan to overthrow the government.

Though Castro and Frank worked well together and in-tandem for the same goals, Castro envisioned himself as the leader of the country once Batista was overthrown. That decision, however, was to be made by agreement of the other key leaders of the revolution.

As the revolution gained momentum, it became more and more clear that the most likely and capable leader was not Castro, but Frank Pais, who was wildly popular with the people and would create a democratic society, not a communist state. It is said that Frank was an idol that eclipsed Fidel.

Though widely believed that the corrupt Batista government had Frank and his younger brother Josue assassinated, there is much speculation and mystery that surrounds their death.

The youth and charisma that helped make Frank a compelling and effective leader, held its sway with the women as well. His first love, Elia Frometa, a girl he met in his role as a youth minister, became estranged as Frank’s ministry transformed from the church to a leadership commitment on the revolutionary battlefield. Their love for each other was never fulfilled, nor did it ever die. Another woman, a red-haired Russian named America Domitro came into Frank’s life and shared his passion for the revolution to the end. As though he knew his life might be forfeit, Frank asked America to marry him only days before his death.

Ironically, it is believed that a jealous woman betrayed Frank in his last days giving away his location to Batista’s Police who had until then been searching for him in vain.

Frank knew immediately when the betrayal occurred in an unexpected phone call and tried to run, but he and his loyal officer were powerless to stop the force that had come for him that day.

Frank was repeatedly beaten and shot in cold blood by 2 police officers named Salas Canizares and “Mano Negra.” He was unarmed. A gun was planted by Frank’s side so that it appeared he had shot at the police. Officers then took turns firing rounds into Frank’s lifeless body, one after another, so that no one officer could be blamed alone for his tragic death. Frank died in the streets of Santiago de Cuba on July 30th, 1957.

He was 23 years old. His story has never been truthfully told. Until now.

This accurate and compelling story of the life of Frank Pais, comes straight from the memory and first-hand experience of Agustin Pais, Frank’s brother, who in a dramatic showdown, escaped the assassins and fled Cuba
as Castro took power.

“Que Monstrous!!!!....They do not know the intelligence, the character, the integrity, they have assassinated. Not even the Cuban people understand the promise and greatness that was within Frank Pais.” –Fidel Castro, 1957

August 1st, 1957, over 100,000 people attended Frank Pais’ funeral. It was considered the largest manifestation of mourning in the history of Cuba.

PAIS in English means “Country.” It is no surprise he died trying to save a country likened in his poems as a woman he loves and who he is trying to save from the hands of a dictator.