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The ashes of Ramiro Valdés, a historic commander of the Cuban Revolution and vice prime minister, were deposited on June 25 in the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara, four days after his death at age 94. President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former president Raúl Castro led the military ceremony, which included a private guard of honor and a public tribute at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) Source: Infobae.
Díaz-Canel declared 18 hours of official mourning on June 23, with the flag flown at half-staff Source: El Nacional. Thousands of Cubans lined up to view Valdés's urn in Havana, with many praising his loyalty and service. His remains were moved to Santa Clara per his wish to rest near Che Guevara Source: La Jornada. Valdés, a founder of Cuba's State Security and intelligence agencies, held senior roles including interior minister and first deputy of the FAR for over six decades Source: Infobae.
On the day of the tribute, the US Treasury sanctioned five Cuban entities – including financial firms Rafin and BFI, and the state steel company Empresa Siderúrgica José Martí – as well as Annalie Lilliam Rueda Cardero, the wife of Raúl Castro's son. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the targeted firms "move money on behalf of the regime" Source: Diario Libre. These measures add to a January oil blockade and an executive order by President Trump sanctioning foreign companies doing business with Cuba Source: Infobae. The timing highlighted the dual narrative of mourning and external pressure.
“Las cenizas del vice primer ministro cubano Ramiro Valdés fueron depositadas este jueves en el Complejo Escultórico Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara de la ciudad de Santa Clara... en una ceremonia militar en la que participaron el presidente de Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, y altos cargos militares.”
“El presidente de Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, declaró 18 horas de duelo oficial para este martes 23 de junio por el fallecimiento del vice primer ministro Ramiro Valdés Menéndez.”
“El Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. sancionó este martes a Rafin y Banco Financiero Internacional (BFI)... y Almacenes Universales, entidad logística, vinculadas al conglomerado militar empresarial Gaesa.”
“Miles de cubanos pasaron este martes por delante de la urna que guarda los restos mortales del histórico comandante revolucionario Ramiro Valdés Menéndez... para rendirle un tributo.”