Following the provisions of the Jimaguayú Assembly, celebrated two years before: that, if after 2 years of its approval the war had not been won, a new Assembly of Representatives should be convened in order to modify the Constitution and proceed to a new Council of Government; On October 30th, 1897, the Yaya Assembly, in the province of Camagüey, was approved and promulgated. The meeting at the Yaya had among its significant elements the almost total renewal of the delegates, with the exception of Salvador Cisneros Betancourt, and the predominance of a new generation and a greater representation of intellectuals. One of the problems resolved was the relative conflict that had been developing between the Governing Council and the General in Chief of the Liberation Army. This crisis had manifested itself in the constant interventions of the government in military affairs, a matter with which Máximo Gómez did not agree.

The Assembly agreed with the Generalissimo and approved the creation of the Secretary of War, who would serve as an intermediary between the two parties. The final document limited the powers of the Council to grant military ranks and it was radically agreed not to accept any conversation, agreement or pact that did not imply the independence of Cuba.

In the new Constitution the military command was subordinated to the civil power and all the powers of the General in Chief passed to the latter. The Assembly renewed the Government, naming Bartolomé Masó President and Dr. Domingo Méndez Capote Vice President. He changed the Secretaries of State and agreed that the Secretary of War, General José B. Alemán, would be the hierarchical superior of the Liberation Army. However, no one disputed Máximo Gómez his status as General in Chief.

Because it was the setting for such a memorable historical event, the site was declared a local monument after the triumph of the Revolution and in 1997 a National Monument.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García