Ramiro Valdes, lauded as hero of Cuban revolution, dies at 94
The longtime revolutionary helped build Cuba’s feared security apparatus and remained a key figure in government until his death, officials said.
- On Sunday, Cuban revolutionary Ramiro Valdes Menendez died at 94, President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced on social media. Valdes was a founding member of the Cuban Communist Party and held the honorary titles "Hero of the Republic" and "Commander of the Revolution."
- Valdes was just 21 when he joined the 1953 Moncada barracks assault, later becoming one of only 12 survivors of the 1956 Granma expedition. This campaign launched a guerrilla war that ousted dictator Fulgencio Batista.
- As interior minister, Valdes established the state security intelligence service and claimed in a rare 2018 interview that "there was no one who moved without security knowing it, and that allowed us to infiltrate counter-revolutionary organizations." He served twice as interior minister under Fidel and Raul Castro.
- In February 2010, Valdes spent several months in Venezuela, where the opposition alleged he led intelligence operations under then-President Hugo Chavez. Venezuela provided Cuba with heavily-subsidized oil in return for intelligence operatives and bodyguards.
- Diaz-Canel eulogized Valdes, stating his life was marked by "absolute loyalty to the governments of Fidel and Raul and to his struggle companions." Valdes had served as second-in-command of a guerrilla column led by Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
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Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, part of the Cuban revolution, died this Sunday at 94 years after more than six decades in positions of responsibility, of organizing internal espionage and repression of the vice-presidentship, going through telecommunications. Hero of the Republic, commander of the revolution, Minister of the Interior 23 years and vice president for almost 20 years, Valdes was reserved, inflexible, obstinate and hardworking, according to…
Havana., Commander, lieutenant of Ernesto Che Guevara, founder of the Cuban intelligence services and one of the last leading figures of the Cuban revolution, Deputy Prime Minister Ramiro Valdés died at 94, announced yesterday President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Valdes was, among other things, second in command of the guerrilla column led by Argentine revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara.
«Hero of the Republic of Cuba and of Labor, who treasures a brilliant and extraordinary sheet of services to the Homeland. Attacking the Moncada barracks, expeditionary of the Granma, combatant of the Rebel Army in the Sierra Maestra, second chief of the invading column No. 8 'Ciro Redondo' and protagonist with Che in the Battle of Santa Clara, the Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdes Menéndez is worthy of the respect and admiration of the …
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