Ramiro Valdés, one of the main leaders of the Cuban regime, dies

Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, a pivotal figure in Cuba's revolutionary movement and a long-standing vice prime minister, passed away on Sunday in Havana at the age of 94. State media on the island reported his death, marking the end of an era for one of the most influential leaders of the revolution that began in 1959.

Valdés was a member of the historical inner circle that supported Fidel Castro for decades. His revolutionary credentials include participation in the 1953 assault on the Moncada barracks, a key event that initiated armed struggle against the government of Fulgencio Batista, and later joining the Granma yacht expedition. He also fought alongside other insurgents, including Ernesto "Che" Guevara, in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

Following the revolution's triumph, Valdés held numerous high-ranking positions within the Cuban government. For years, he was considered one of the most powerful figures in the country's political and security apparatus, with influence extending to strategic defense sectors, telecommunications, and state infrastructure. He was recognized with honors such as Hero of the Republic of Cuba and Hero of Labor, underscoring his enduring leadership within the revolutionary government.

Throughout his political career, Valdés remained one of Fidel Castro's closest historical allies. He maintained a significant presence in the power structures during the administrations of Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel. His death signifies the departure of one of the last surviving members of the generation that spearheaded the Cuban revolution, a generation that played a crucial role in establishing and consolidating the political system on the island after Batista's fall. Cuban authorities have not disclosed the cause of death or details regarding funeral arrangements.