Ramiro Valdes died at the age of 94. President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced his death on social media on Sunday. Valdes was a member of the Granma expedition, according to corroborated reports. According to the Hindu, he was one of the 82 men who sailed on the yacht Granma in 1956 and one of only 12 survivors. Valdes was a participant in the Moncada Barracks attack on July 26, 1953, according to cubaheadlines.com, and fought in the Rebel Army as the deputy leader of Che Guevara's column during the march from Oriente to the West, according to the same source. He held the honorary titles 'Hero of the Republic' and 'Commander of the Revolution', according to the South China Morning Post. Valdes was a top government official for decades after Castro’s rebels came to power in 1959, according to the South China Morning Post, and formed part of the powerful Political Bureau of the ruling Cuban Communist Party, according to the same source. According to cubaheadlines.com, he helped found Cuba's intelligence apparatus. The Bangkok Post reported he was one of the founders of Cuba's feared intelligence services. President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed personal grief over Ramiro Valdes's death and praised his dedication to the nation. The cause of Ramiro Valdes's death was not provided by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, according to the South China Morning Post.