Bernabé Varona (1845 – November 4, 1873), also known as Bembetta, was a Cuban revolutionary and mambí General who was executed during the Ten Years' War in 1873.

[7] In 1868, Varona was taken prisoner and sent to Havana where he was reported to the captain-general Domingo Dulce as one of the most desperate and dangerous men then opposed to the Spanish government.

When Carlos Manuel de Céspedes issued the Cry of Yara in October 1868, resulting in the Ten Years' War, Bernabé Varona was one of the first to join the liberating ranks.

[9] During the Battle of Bonilla in Las Minas in November 1868, Spanish troops led by Blas Villate were defeated by forces commanded by Varona and Ángel del Castillo, leading to their retreat to San Miguel de Nuevitas.

[12] Leading the personal escort of Manuel de Quesada, Gen. Bernabé Varona fought in the first Battle of Las Tunas on August 16, 1869.

[13] The Virginius and crew including Captain Joseph Fry were captured by the Spanish corvette Tornado on October 31, 1873.