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The question is starting to be whispered, first on social media and now in broader conversations: Where is Ramiro Valdés Menéndez?
The historic commander of the so-called "revolution" and current vice prime minister of Cuba has been absent from the public scene for months, with no official explanation for his absence.
This Monday, March 2, a new meeting of the Council of Ministers was held. As has happened in several previous sessions since the end of 2025, Valdés Menéndez (93 years old) was not present.
At least, he was not mentioned in the official note nor did he appear in the images released by the state media. There was also no reference to his absence. Absolute silence.
The lack of explanations is striking in a political system that often showcases its leading figures as symbols of continuity and control.
Valdés, one of the longest-standing leaders with significant historical weight within the power structure, has been a constant presence for years in strategic meetings, political events, and inaugurations related to the energy sector.
However, his absence was particularly noticeable during the funerals of the Cuban soldiers who died in Venezuela during the capture of Maduro. He did not appear at the airport, nor at the honor guard, nor at the burial ceremonies, moments when almost the entire leadership of the regime was present.
His latest verifiable public appearance dates back to September 2025, when he participated in the inauguration of a photovoltaic solar park in Sancti Spíritus.
Since then, although new solar parks have been launched in various provinces of the country—projects that are part of the government strategy to alleviate the severe energy crisis—his presence has been absent. He has not been seen or mentioned in any of these recent events.
The absence was also notable on January 27, during the traditional March of the Torches in Havana, one of the most important propaganda events on the Cuban political calendar.
Valdés used to attend this symbolic mobilization, which has historically seen participation from the country’s main leaders. This year, however, he did not appear in the official images or the reports released by the state media.
Their absence from the promotional event added to that of two other nonagenarian commanders of the "Cuban revolution": Raúl Castro and José Ramón Machado Ventura.
He was also absent from high-profile events held in the past few months, as well as from recent parliamentary sessions. His name did not appear in the reports published for the Council of Ministers meetings in October, November, and December of 2025. Now, in March 2026, the situation is repeating itself.
The authorities have not issued any statement explaining whether it is an illness, a temporary withdrawal, or an internal restructuring. In a country where information about the health of leaders is often handled with secrecy, the lack of clarity inevitably fuels speculation.
Various versions are circulating on social media: from serious medical issues to an alleged silent retirement, including those speculating about a possible escape from the country with his family at a time of heightened tension in relations with the United States
Some users, in a sarcastic tone, attribute their absence to illnesses such as chikungunya, which has impacted thousands of Cubans in recent months. Others suggest internal conflicts or a shift in the balance of power. There are also those who speak of a silenced death, a hypothesis that remains unconfirmed.
Beyond the rumors, the fact is that the lack of official information contrasts with the legal obligation of transparency established by the Law of the Council of Ministers, which emphasizes the duty of its members to be accountable and maintain connections with citizens.
When one of its most emblematic members disappears from the public eye for months, the absence becomes news.
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez is not just any official. His career is closely linked to the violent history of the security apparatus and political power in Cuba. For decades, he was seen as one of the strongmen of the regime, with direct influence in strategic sectors.
Today, his prolonged public absence leaves more questions than answers. In the context of a deep economic crisis, extended blackouts, and rising social discontent, every move—or every silence—within the ruling elite takes on significance.
While there is no official explanation, the question will continue to linger: where is Ramiro Valdés Menéndez?
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