Rubén Vázquez, One of the First Matanzas Authors of Detective Novels, Passes Away

Cataloged among the first writers of detective novels, Rubén Vázquez Pérez (Tico) passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the age of 86.

«Tico» was born in the city of Matanzas on March 2, 1940, and it is worth highlighting from his literary career that the plots of his writings developed fundamentally in this, his native land, which brought greater appeal to his literature.

Researchers note that his literary awards began when he was awarded in the MININT’s Anniversary of the Revolution contest in 1977 with the story «El impostor» (The Impostor).

He later achieved first honorable mention in the novel genre for «La venganza del muerto» (The Dead Man’s Revenge) in 1982 and a prize in 1987 with «Caricia mortal» (Deadly Caress).

Likewise, his books were published by the Arte y Literatura, Unión, and Letras Cubanas publishing houses. His novels «El caso Ivonne Isabey» (The Ivonne Isabey Case), «Aventura peligrosa» (Dangerous Adventure), and «Caza Mayor» (Big Game), among other texts, also stood out.

Rubén Vázquez Pérez served as a juror for the David Prize and the provincial contests Néstor Ulloa and José Jacinto Milanés. He did the radio adaptation of two of his novels.

His profession as an optometrist also earned him high prestige among the people of Matanzas.

A founder of the Matanzas UNEAC, he was elected vice president of the Provincial Committee for several decades and participated in the 3rd and 4th Congresses of that organization.

The works of Rubén Vázquez Pérez have been valued among the best known of the detective genre in Cuba.

Our condolences go to his wife, family, and friends of the esteemed writer.