The event was first held in 1946, in recognition of José Barrientos (a former Cuban Olympic sprinter), who died in an aviation accident the previous year.

It is one of the longest-running track and field meetings in Latin America, and the oldest in the Caribbean.

[2][3] For the first two editions, the competition was held at the Estadio Universitario Juan Abrantes.

The competition principally features national and international level Cuban athletes, though foreign athletes have also been on the programme since 1950, with past attendees including Donald Quarrie, Nenad Stekić, and American sprinters Dennis Mitchell and Calvin Smith.

[citation needed] The competition regularly serves as the national Cuban Athletics Championships.