Ramiro Valdés, last commander of the Cuban Revolution and Castro ally, dies at 94
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, a key figure of the Cuban Revolution, former vice president, and founder of Cuba's intelligence services, died Sunday at 94. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said his death felt 'like the loss of a father.'
A lifelong revolutionary
Born on April 28, 1932, in the western city of Artemisa, Valdés joined Fidel Castro's 1953 attack on the Moncada barracks, the opening act of the revolution that would topple dictator Fulgencio Batista. He later fought under the command of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and became one of the few rebels to earn the honorary title Commander of the Revolution. Alongside Raúl Castro, he was among the last survivors of the Granma yacht expedition on December 2, 1956, which launched the armed struggle.
Political ascent and fall
After the 1959 revolution, Valdés served as interior minister and founded the feared G2 state security service. In 1986, he clashed with Fidel Castro and fell out of the inner circle, disappearing from public life. He reappeared in 1997 to lead a mission to Bolivia to find and repatriate Che Guevara's remains. In 2003, he rejoined the Council of State. When Raúl Castro took over presidential powers in 2006, he appointed Valdés as telecommunications minister. Three years later, he was elevated to vice president. In 2011, he became the Communist Party's number three leader, behind only Raúl Castro and José Ramón Machado Ventura.
Later years and death
Valdés rarely appeared in public and never spoke to the press. At official events, he always wore his military uniform. He dedicated his final years to supporting Miguel Díaz-Canel, the first non-Castro president since the revolution, who took office in 2018. His last public appearance was in 2025. On Sunday, the Cuban government and Communist Party announced his death without specifying a cause. He was awarded the title Hero of the Republic of Cuba.
- Born in Artemisa, Cuba.
- Joins Fidel Castro's attack on the Moncada barracks, the opening act of the Cuban Revolution.
- Participates in the Granma yacht expedition, launching the revolutionary armed struggle.
- Falls out with Fidel Castro while serving as interior minister and fades from public life.
- Leads mission to Bolivia to locate and repatriate Che Guevara's remains.
- Rejoins the Council of State.
- Appointed telecommunications minister by Raúl Castro.
- Elevated to vice president of Cuba.
- Elected the Communist Party's number three leader, behind Raúl Castro and José Ramón Machado Ventura.
- Supports Miguel Díaz-Canel, the first non-Castro president since the revolution.
- Makes his last public appearance.
- Dies at age 94.
Reactions
The physical disappearance of the commander of the Revolution, Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, deeply saddens us, like the loss of a father.
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez deserves the respect and admiration of the Cuban people for his dedication and proven loyalty to the revolutionary cause.
Every act in Commander Ramiro's life was marked by his absolute loyalty to the leadership of Fidel and Raúl.
