Ramiro Valdes, Cuban revolution hero, dies at 94

Ramiro Valdes, a foundational figure of the Cuban revolution and one of Fidel Castro's earliest allies, has died at the age of 94. His passing was announced by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel via social media, who expressed deep sorrow, likening the loss to that of a father.

“

His death hurts deeply, like that of a father.

Valdes was a prominent government official for over six decades following the rebels' rise to power in 1959. He held the esteemed titles of 'Hero of the Republic' and 'Commander of the Revolution.' He was also a member of the powerful Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party until 2019. Born in 1932, Valdes was a participant in the pivotal 1953 assault on the Moncada barracks, an event that ignited the uprising against Fulgencio Batista's government. He later joined Castro in exile in Mexico and was among the 82 men who sailed on the Granma yacht in 1956 to relaunch the insurrection, surviving the perilous journey when only 12 did.

“

Until victory, always, Commander!

During the revolutionary struggle, Valdes joined Castro and Ernesto 'Che' Guevara in the Sierra Maestra mountains, serving as Guevara's deputy commander. He played a crucial role in the decisive Battle of Santa Clara, which preceded Batista's flight from Cuba on January 1, 1959. After the revolution, Valdes headed the newly established security agency. He was known for his loyalty to the revolution and its leaders, often appearing in military attire and maintaining a focus on the island's energy challenges even in his later years as deputy prime minister.

“

We cannot forget we arrived here thanks to the unity of the people and their trust in the revolution.