Fabián Jesús Colón López, born on January 20, 1901, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, was a pivotal figure in the island’s Marxist, socialist, and communist movements, as well as a prolific writer and tireless community and political activist. An Afro-Puerto Rican, he was profoundly shaped by the socioeconomic challenges of his community, which fueled his lifelong dedication to combating systemic inequality and injustice. The son of Paula López Colón (1874–1927), a domestic worker, and Mauricio Colón Coto (1863–1920), a skilled baker and jointer artisan, Colón López grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Cayey. This environment exposed him early to the harsh realities of poverty, racial discrimination, and exploitation faced by Afro-Puerto Ricans under colonial rule, laying the foundation for his revolutionary zeal.
From his teenage years, Colón López immersed himself in the works of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and other socialist thinkers, whose analyses of class struggle, labor exploitation, and the need for systemic change resonated deeply with him. The Marxist framework provided him with a lens to understand the socioeconomic disparities in Puerto Rico, which was under U.S. colonial administration following the Spanish-American War of 1898. The island’s economy, heavily reliant on sugarcane plantations and exploitative labor practices, disproportionately marginalized Afro-Puerto Ricans and the working class. These conditions, combined with his intellectual engagement, cemented his commitment to socialism and communism as vehicles for transformative change.
Colón López’s early exposure to Cayey’s vibrant community life also played a role in shaping his activism. Local discussions, cultural traditions, and the resilience of his community inspired him to channel his passion into organized efforts for social justice. By his early twenties, he had become a vocal advocate for the rights of workers and marginalized groups, using his sharp intellect and charisma to rally others to the cause.
In his early adulthood, Colón López emerged as a dynamic figure in Puerto Rico’s political and social spheres. He joined and helped lead various organizations dedicated to advancing the rights of Afro-Puerto Ricans, workers, and other disenfranchised groups. His ability to connect with people through fiery oratory and compelling writing made him a natural leader. He organized rallies, spoke at public gatherings, and wrote articles that critiqued the capitalist structures underpinning Puerto Rico’s colonial economy. His writings, often published in socialist and labor-focused periodicals, addressed issues such as wage theft, racial discrimination, and the exploitation of workers by foreign corporations.
Colón López was particularly instrumental in the labor movement, playing a key role in forming and strengthening labor unions across Puerto Rico. He worked tirelessly to mobilize agricultural and industrial workers, advocating for fair wages, safer working conditions, and protections against discriminatory practices. His efforts helped amplify the voices of sugarcane workers, factory laborers, and other marginalized groups who faced grueling conditions under colonial capitalism. His organizing extended to grassroots initiatives, where he empowered communities to demand access to education, healthcare, and political representation.
As a writer, Colón López wielded his pen as a powerful tool for social change. His essays and articles, infused with Marxist analysis, dissected the mechanisms of oppression in Puerto Rico and called for revolutionary action. He wrote for socialist publications both locally and internationally, contributing to a broader discourse on class struggle and anti-colonialism. His work was notable for its clarity and accessibility, making complex Marxist ideas relatable to the working-class readers he sought to inspire. Beyond political treatises, Colón López also explored Afro-Puerto Rican identity, culture, and history in his writings, celebrating the resilience and contributions of his community while critiquing the systemic racism they faced.
His literary output was not limited to essays; he also penned poetry and short stories that reflected the struggles and aspirations of Puerto Rico’s working class. These creative works served as both cultural expressions and calls to action, further solidifying his influence as a voice for the oppressed.
Colón López’s vision of social justice transcended national borders. Recognizing that Puerto Rico’s struggles were part of a larger global fight against imperialism and capitalism, he forged connections with socialist and communist movements across the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond. He corresponded with and occasionally met activists from countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, sharing strategies and building solidarity. These international ties strengthened his belief in the universality of the class struggle and the need for collective action to dismantle oppressive systems.
In the 1930s, Colón López became increasingly involved in the Puerto Rican independence movement, which sought to end U.S. colonial rule. He viewed independence as inseparable from social and economic liberation, arguing that true sovereignty required dismantling the capitalist structures that perpetuated inequality. His alignment with the independence movement brought him into contact with figures like Pedro Albizu Campos, leader of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, though Colón López’s Marxist perspective emphasized class struggle as much as national liberation. His dual commitment to socialism and independence made him a unique and influential voice in the anti-colonial struggle.
Colón López’s outspoken activism made him a target of colonial authorities and local elites, who viewed his Marxist and anti-colonial rhetoric as a threat. He faced repeated arrests, surveillance, and harassment throughout his life, particularly during periods of heightened political repression in Puerto Rico, such as the 1930s and 1940s. Despite these challenges, he remained undeterred, using each setback as an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the cause. His resilience in the face of persecution earned him widespread respect among activists and ordinary Puerto Ricans alike.
Fabián Jesús Colón López passed away on June 15, 1965, but his legacy endures as a beacon for those fighting for social justice and equality. His contributions to Puerto Rico’s labor movement, socialist thought, and anti-colonial struggle left an indelible mark on the island’s history. He is remembered as a champion of the working class, an advocate for Afro-Puerto Rican rights, and a visionary who saw socialism as the path to a more equitable world.
His writings continue to be studied by scholars and activists, offering insights into the intersections of race, class, and colonialism in Puerto Rico. The labor unions and grassroots organizations he helped build laid the groundwork for future generations of activists. His internationalist perspective also foreshadowed the global solidarity movements that would gain prominence in the decades following his death.
Today, Colón López is celebrated as a hero of Puerto Rico’s left-wing and independence movements. His life serves as a testament to the power of conviction, intellectual rigor, and collective action in the face of systemic oppression. For activists worldwide, his story remains a source of inspiration, reminding them of the enduring need to challenge exploitation and build a world rooted in justice and equality.