The commander of the Cuban Revolution, Ramiro Valdes (2-L), President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel (2-R) and his predecessor, Raul Castro (C), participate in the traditional Torch March in Havana in January 2025. The Torch March, organized by university students, is held on the eve of the birthday of the independence hero Jose Marti. File Photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA
June 22 (UPI) -- The Cuban government confirmed the death of Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, who was one of the last surviving members of the historic generation that came to power alongside Fidel Castro after the 1959 revolution.
A commander in the revolution, a close associate of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and the founder of Cuba's intelligence services, Valdés was regarded by critics as one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern Cuban history. He died Sunday at age 94.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced the death and declared a period of official mourning in honor of Valdés, who was recognized by the government as a Hero of the Republic of Cuba.
"The passing of Revolutionary Commander Ramiro Valdés Menéndez hurts deeply, like the loss of a father," Díaz-Canel wrote on X.
