Cuban Revolution co-author Ramiro Valdés dies at 94

Ramiro Valdés, a pivotal commander in the Cuban Revolution and a lifelong associate of Fidel Castro, has passed away at the age of 94. His death was announced by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who described the loss as "painful, like losing a father." Valdés was recognized as one of the last surviving leaders of the revolution and a loyal collaborator to both Fidel and Raúl Castro.

Valdés played a significant role in the establishment of Cuba's intelligence apparatus, co-founding the General Directorate of Intelligence (G2). Throughout his decades-long career in the communist government, he held influential positions, including Minister of the Interior, Vice Minister of Defense, Minister of Information and Communication, and Vice President of Cuba. He was also honored as a "Hero of the Republic" and a "Commander of the Revolution."

“

His death is painful, like losing a father.

Born in 1932, Valdés was involved in the early revolutionary efforts, participating in the 1953 attack on the Moncada barracks alongside Fidel Castro. He later joined Castro's forces in Mexico and was part of the expeditionary group that sailed on the Granma yacht to Cuba. In the Sierra Maestra mountains, he served as deputy to Ernesto "Che" Guevara and was instrumental in the Battle of Santa Clara, which preceded Batista's flight and Castro's victory in 1959.

Even as leadership transitioned within Cuba, Valdés remained a key figure. Until 2019, he was a member of the Political Bureau of the ruling Communist Party. In recent years, serving as deputy prime minister, he focused on the island's energy crisis, urging citizens to conserve power. His public appearances often occurred alongside President Díaz-Canel, emphasizing the government's efforts to manage the nation's resources.

“

Nobody moved without the knowledge of the security services, which allowed us to infiltrate counter-revolutionary organizations.