Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Republic, today expressed on social media platform X his profound sorrow at the physical departure of Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez.

«The physical departure of Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez hurts deeply, like that of a father,» the president wrote in his message.

The President recalled the respect and affection he always held for him, as well as his support, advice, discreet collaboration and exemplary dedication to the service of the Homeland.

«That is how I loved and respected him always. That is how I will remember his support and advice, his discreet collaboration and exemplary dedication to the service of the Homeland,» the president declared.

Díaz-Canel stressed that every act of Valdés Menéndez’s life was marked by his absolute fidelity to the leadership of Fidel and Raúl Castro Ruz, to his comrades in struggle and to the Moncada Programme.

He noted that this fidelity was maintained from the assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953 until his last breath, which occurred on this Father’s Day.

«Every act of Commander Ramiro’s life was marked by his absolute fidelity to the leadership of Fidel and Raúl, to his comrades in struggle and to the Moncada Programme, whose just essence he defended from the assault on the dictatorship’s fortress in 1953 until the last breath of his exemplary life on this Father’s Day, which is clouded by the pain of his departure,» wrote Díaz-Canel.

The message concluded with the expression: «Ever onward to victory, Commander!»

The physical departure of Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez hurts deeply, like that of a father.

That is how I loved and respected him always. That is how I will remember his support and advice, his discreet collaboration and exemplary dedication to the service of the Homeland.