High-Ranking Cuban General Accused of Directing Military Operations in Venezuela Dies

Leonardo Ramón Andollo Valdés, a retired Cuban general accused of directing military operations in Venezuela during the government of Hugo Chávez, has passed away in Havana, Cuba. The official agency Latin Press reported the news but did not provide details on the cause or date of his death.

Why this matters: The death of Andollo Valdés highlights the complex and controversial relationship between Cuba and Venezuela, which has significant implications for regional politics and economic stability. As Venezuela grapples with ongoing economic and political challenges, thefuture of its ties with Cuba remains uncertain, potentially affecting the entire region.

Andollo Valdés faced accusations in 2012 by the Venezuelan Prosecutor's Office of supervising meetings of the Venezuelan military high command. Retired Venezuelan General Antonio Rivero viewed this as a "clear interference and violation of the sovereignty of Venezuela." Photos, recordings, and videos showed the Cuban soldier present in those meetings, supporting the complaint.

Born on November 6, 1945, in Cerro, Havana, Andollo Valdés died at the age of 78. He entered the National Revolutionary Militias in 1960 and later studied in the Soviet Union, completing the higher course at the Voroshilov Military Academy of the General Staff. His military career included serving as part of the first military intervention group from Havana in Ethiopia and as a military advisor and operational head in Yemen.

In recent years, Andollo Valdés led the intervention by the Cuban military's business conglomerate, GAESA, into the Habaguanex SA business network in 2016. He also served as the second boss of the Permanent Commission for the Implementation and Development of the Ordering Task, which was applied in January 2021 and contributed to the economic crisis in Cuba.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed condolences on his social network profile, stating that Andollo Valdés "served Cuba until his last breath, in the most diverse missions." Esteban Lazo, president of the National Assembly of People's Power, and Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Communist Party of Cuba, also regretted his death.

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba included Andollo Valdés in its directory of Cuban repressors due to his alleged involvement in military operations in Venezuela. His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a dedicated servant of Cuba, while others see him as a violator of Venezuelan sovereignty.

The close alliance between Venezuela and Cuba over the past 15 years has been marked by mutual dependence, with Venezuela providing critical oil supplies on subsidized terms in exchange for Cuban professionals such as doctors, teachers, sports trainers, and military advisors. However, the economic and political crisis in Venezuela has reinforced the negative aspects of their interdependence, and the Cuban government is aware of the risks associated with their reliance on the current regime in Caracas.

The death of Leonardo Ramón Andollo Valdés, a high-ranking Cuban general accused of directing military operations in Venezuela, highlights the complex and controversial relationship between the two countries. While some mourn his passing as a loss for Cuba, others view his alleged actions in Venezuela as a violation of sovereignty. As Venezuela grapples with ongoing economic and political challenges, the future of its ties with Cuba remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• Leonardo Ramón Andollo Valdés, a retired Cuban general, has died in Havana, Cuba.
• He was accused of directing military operations in Venezuela during Hugo Chávez's government.
• His death highlights the complex and controversial relationship between Cuba and Venezuela.
• The future of Cuba-Venezuela ties is uncertain amid Venezuela's economic and political challenges.
• Andollo Valdés' legacy is disputed, with some viewing him as a dedicated servant of Cuba, others as a violator of Venezuelan sovereignty.