Carlos Poveda Jr.

CARLOS M. POVEDA JR

(Ciego de Avila, Cuba, August 28, 1935 – Miami, FL December 06, 2025)

Carlos M. Poveda Jr (Carluchín), 90, passed away peacefully at home on December 06, 2025.

Carluchín was born on August 28, 1935 to Carlos M. Poveda and Antonia (Piquín) Aguilar in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. As a boarding student, he attended the prestigious Belen Jesuit school in Habana with the graduating class of 1954.

As a young adult, after leaving Belen, Carluchín held various jobs including working in several US owned offshore oil rigs. However, in 1960, his life would take a different path.

In January 1960, the Movement of Revolutionary Recovery (MRR) commenced the recruitment of young adults with the absolute trust for them to fight for Cuba’s liberty. On May 1960, Carluchín and 65 newly recruited Cubans were transported to Useppa Island, FL where they underwent background checks, physicals and polygraphs exams administered by the Central Intelligence Agency. Shortly thereafter, Carluchín along with almost 100 recruits started constructing their training base in Guatemala. Of the 1,500 strong Brigade 2506, Carluchín was selected to be part of the Camagüey infiltration team. On March 2, after two previous failed attempts, the Camagüey team infiltrated into Cuba with the mission to arm and train the local populace on subversive actions. With the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the infiltrated teams were directed to “survive” and escape the island. Carluchín was given asylum at the Italian Embassy in Habana and after eight months, he was granted a USA visa and flew to Miami, FL.

Like many Cubans of that generation, Carluchín traveled to Puerto Rico where he reunited with the love of his life, Dory. They wed and raised two children, Carlos M. III and Eduardo. Carluchín held various jobs while in Puerto Rico, but it was with Johnson & Johnson, as the Caribbean regional sales manager, where he excelled. And in 1980, J & J offered Carluchín a position in Caracas, Venezuela. After seven years in Venezuela, J & J transferred Carluchín to Mexico City, Mexico, and four years later, J & J transferred Carluchín for the last time to his beloved Miami to finish his long career with J & J.

Carluchín and Dory traveled extensively throughout all of Europe, Scandinavia and Asia. He was an avid gun collector and enjoyed deer hunting.

Carluchín is survived by his two sons Carlos M. Poveda III (wife Blanca Silvia Lefran-Poveda) and Eduardo E. Poveda (wife Dalila Poveda). Five grandchildren Carlos M. IV (wife Jennifer Poveda), Andres “Andy” (wife Haley Poveda), Alexis, Andrea and Eduardo S.; and three great-grandchildren Eva Grace, Alan, and Carlos M. V “Charlie.”

Carluchín is preceded in death by his parents Carlos M. Poveda and “Piquín” Aguilar; brothers Alberto “Tiqui” Poveda and Jorge Poveda.

A celebration of life will be conducted at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Caballero Rivero, 8200 SW Bird Rd. Interment will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, 11411 NW 25th St, Miami, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bay of Pigs Museum via mail at 1338 SW 8st, Miami, FL 33135 or to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting https://donorservices.alz.org.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Carluchín and the Poveda Family!