With the passing of Ramiro Valdés Menéndez this past Sunday at the age of 94, while the Cuban regime honors him with official tributes, a significant moment of public dissent during his lifetime resurfaces. On July 11, 2021, a crowd in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, confronted him directly, shouting "murderer" as he navigated through protesters, flanked by military personnel.
The incident was captured on video and shared by the independent outlet Diario de Cuba three days following the protests. The footage clearly depicts the then Vice President of the Council of State moving through a sea of Cubans who had taken to the streets on that historic Sunday.
In the video, a voice can be heard shouting, "Murderer, you're starving us to death," while others in the crowd chanted "They beat us!" in response to the police brutality that had already begun against the demonstrators.
As Valdés left the area, the crowd erupted with chants of "Freedom," echoing the rallying cry that resonated across numerous municipalities on the island that day.
Protests Erupt Across Cuba
Palma Soriano was quick to join the 11J protests, following San Antonio de los Baños, which had sparked the movement just hours before. Anti-riot police responded harshly, using force against the hundreds gathered in the Santiago municipality.
The regime swiftly attempted to alter the narrative. Gilberto Romero Sauder, a government program coordinator in the province, claimed that Valdés was "acclaimed by the people" as soon as he appeared in his "glorious olive-green uniform." He suggested that "as if by magic," the scene shifted from "the vulgarities of a small group of ringleaders to the ovation of a large majority (many undoubtedly confused) who spontaneously cheered for Fidel, Raúl, Díaz-Canel, and of course, Commander Ramiro Valdés." Diario de Cuba's video, however, directly contradicted this official portrayal.
The Regime's Reaction
Subsequent actions by the regime further revealed their approach to the events: weeks later, Valdés awarded the "Distinguished Service" distinction to Lieutenant Julio César Sotomayor Lora and First Warrant Officer Felipe Aparicio Santiesteban, celebrated by the official Granma newspaper as agents involved in the "confrontation" during the 11J events in Palma Soriano. In other words, the regime rewarded those who suppressed the protesters.
The scene in Palma Soriano was not isolated. On that same Sunday, in San Antonio de los Baños, several Cubans hurled objects and insults at leader Miguel Díaz-Canel during his visit, although state media concealed these images and praised the reception he received.
The 11J protests marked the largest outbreak of public demonstrations in Cuba since 1994. Amnesty International documented numerous arbitrary arrests during and after the protests, and the United States reported that nearly 700 individuals remained detained years later for their involvement.
Now, as Valdés's death is confirmed this Sunday by Díaz-Canel on his official account, where he expressed that "the physical departure of Revolution Commander Ramiro Valdés Menéndez is deeply painful," and with the Ministry of the Interior bidding farewell to him as one of its founders, many Cubans remember not the official honors, but that collective outcry in Palma Soriano: the voice of a people who, for a moment, told him to his face what they truly thought.
Key Moments from the 11J Protests
What were the 11J protests in Cuba?
The 11J protests, which took place on July 11, 2021, were widespread anti-government demonstrations across Cuba, marking the largest public dissent since 1994. Protesters demanded freedom and expressed frustration over economic hardships and government repression.
How did the Cuban government respond to these protests?
The Cuban government responded with a heavy-handed approach, deploying anti-riot police to suppress the demonstrations. Additionally, they attempted to control the narrative by downplaying dissent and rewarding those who acted against protesters.
What was the significance of Ramiro Valdés's presence during the protests?
Ramiro Valdés's presence during the protests symbolized the regime's attempt to maintain control and authority. However, the public outcry against him, captured on video, highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction and opposition to the government's actions.