Cuban Commander Ramiro Valdes Dies at 94
One of the founders of the feared State Security apparatus
HAVANA TIMES — Commander Ramiro Valdes, one of the emblematic figures of the Cuban Revolution, has died. He was 94 years old and was also known as “the Butcher of Artemisa,” the town where he was born.
Valdes took part in the assault on the Moncada Barracks (1953), later joined the expedition aboard the Granma yacht (1956), and in 1958, under the command of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, participated in the guerrilla invasion that advanced from eastern to western Cuba.
Following the rebels’ victory in 1959, he held several important positions. However, the role for which he is best known was organizing the security apparatus of the newly established government.
In addition, he was one of the founders of the Department of State Security (DSE) and the General Directorate of Intelligence (DGI), agencies dedicated to the surveillance, infiltration, and repression of opposition and anti-communist elements within the country.