He had to flee from Spain at the beginning of the Civil War because of his Republican ideology. José Martínez was a great promoter of the Hispanic culture in Salvador de Bahía. He taught Spanish in several schools of that city and created the radio programme ‘Hora de España’, which was broadcasted every week in the ratio station Radio Cultura da Bahía. He also promoted the commemorations of Cervantes anniversary in that city.
In his deathbed, he left all his money to go on with the works of the Spanish Centre.