Fidel Castro’s close aide Ramiro Valdes dies

HAVANA:  Prominent Cuban revolutionary leader, former vice president and close aide to Fidel Castro, Ramiro Valdes, has died at the age of 94.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed his death on social media, but no details about the cause of his death were released.

Ramiro Valdez was considered one of the most important architects of the Cuban revolution. He participated in the attack on the Moncada barracks with Fidel Castro in 1953, which was later considered the starting point of Cuba’s revolutionary journey.

After this failed operation, he went into exile in Mexico with other revolutionary comrades, from where he prepared to fight again.

In 1956, he returned to Cuba on the famous ship Granma with Fidel Castro and other revolutionaries and reorganized the armed movement. After a long struggle, the revolution was successful in 1959 and Fidel Castro’s government was established, in which Ramiro Valdez played a central role.

After the revolution, he served in several important government positions, including Minister of the Interior, Deputy Minister of Defense, Vice President, and member of the Political Bureau of the ruling Communist Party. In recognition of his services to the Cuban state and the revolution, he was awarded the high honors of Hero of the Republic and Commander of the Revolution.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in his condolence message that Ramiro Valdez’s death is the loss of a leader who dedicated his entire life to the service of the revolution and the nation. He said that his departure is equivalent to the loss of a father figure.