Cuban interior minister and revolution pioneer, Carlos Fernandez Gondin, died Saturday afternoon at age of 78 due to "complications of a chronic disease," a statement issued by the Council of Ministers said.

Carlos Fernandez Gondin was born in the eastern city of Santiago in July, 1938, and started to participate in Fidel Castro's 26 July Movement at an early age.

The military official had been awarded the title of "Hero of the Republic of Cuba."

source: Xinhua