23/06/2026
Presidential Decree 1247/2026 MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL BERMÚDEZ, President of the Republic. I HEREBY ANNOUNCE: That by virtue of the provisions of Article 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and Article 24, paragraph x) of Law 136 “On the President and Vice President of the Republic of Cuba,” of October 28, 2020, I have considered the following:
WHEREAS: With profound sorrow, the leadership of the Party, the State, and the Government inform our people that on the morning of Sunday, June 21, the historic Commander of the Revolution, Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, Hero of the Republic of Cuba and of Labor, passed away. He possessed a brilliant and extraordinary record of service to the Homeland.
A participant in the attack on the Moncada Barracks, a member of the Granma expedition, a combatant in the Rebel Army in the Sierra Maestra mountains, second-in-command of the invading Column No. 8 Ciro Redondo, and a key figure alongside Che Guevara in the Battle of Santa Clara, Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez deserves the respect and admiration of the Cuban people for his dedication and proven loyalty to the revolutionary cause.
THEREFORE: In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 128, paragraph ñ) of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, I have decided to issue the following: PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1247 FIRST: To declare Official Mourning, on the occasion of the death of Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, from 6:00 a.m. on June 23 until midnight of the same day. SECOND: To order that, while the Official Mourning period is in effect, the Flag of the Lone Star be flown at half-staff on public buildings and military institutions. THIRD: The Ministers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Interior, and Foreign Affairs are charged with the implementation of the provisions of this Decree. PUBLISH in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba. GIVEN at the Palace of the Revolution, on the 21st day of June, 2026, “Year of the Centennial of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.” Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez President of the Republic