José de Valera (September 26, 1822 – January 16, 1899) was a high-ranking Spanish military figure who distinguished himself in Cuba's Ten Years' War.

Col. Valera saw a sizable group of Cubans advancing toward Las Tunas after leading a reconnaissance of mounted cavalry sent by Gen. Enrique Boniche.

[5] Valera was the Colonel of the reserves of Santo Domingo, in Sagua la Grande and assumed position as governor of Las Tunas.

[10][11] In September 1879, the Spanish government established a new military jurisdiction that included the cities of Holguín, Las Tunas, and Gibara due to their distance from Santiago de Cuba.

[13] Gen. Blanco formed a council in Havana with Admiral Dámaso Berenguer and Generals Valera and Camilo García de Polavieja to prepare troops and volunteers that suppressed an uprising of Afro-Cubans in December 1880.