Four key figures from the so-called "historic generation" of the Cuban Revolution have surpassed the age of 90 and are still alive: Guillermo García Frías (97), José Ramón Machado Ventura (95), Raúl Castro Ruz (94), and Ramiro Valdés Menéndez (93).
These individuals played pivotal roles in the 1959 revolutionary process and, to varying extents, remain entwined with the power dynamics of the regime.
They stand as the last living members of that foundational group who are over 90 years old.
Raúl Castro: Power Behind the Scenes
Among them, Raúl Castro is the most influential. Although he officially stepped down as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in April 2021, both analysts and current President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledge that he remains the true power behind the regime.
In an interview with Telesur in April 2026, Díaz-Canel described Castro as "alive but retired due to health reasons" and "frail due to his advanced age."
Castro's last public appearance was on May 1, 2026, at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, where he appeared visibly weakened after a five-month absence. He also did not attend the ninth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in March 2026, where Díaz-Canel was confirmed as the first secretary.
Despite his official retirement, Castro continues to exert control over GAESA, the military-business conglomerate managing around $18 billion in strategic sectors, representing roughly 60% of Cuba's economy.
Journalist Camilo Loret de Mola succinctly stated: "All strategic decisions pass through Raúl Castro's hands."
Ramiro Valdés: Architect of Cuban Intelligence
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, born on April 28, 1932, in Artemisa, was a founding figure of the G2—Cuban intelligence services—alongside the Soviet KGB. He served as Minister of the Interior during two periods: from 1961 to 1968, and from 1979 to 1985.
He currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister with responsibilities over energy projects.
In 2025, he spearheaded the inauguration of several photovoltaic solar parks, including the Mal Tiempo solar park in June and another in Sancti Spíritus in September of the same year. However, his unexplained absence from public life has been noted: he hasn't been seen at Council of Ministers meetings since October 2025 nor at sessions in March 2026.
José Ramón Machado Ventura: The Party's Backbone
José Ramón Machado Ventura, born on October 26, 1930, in Villa Clara, held the position of Minister of Public Health from 1960 to 1968. He also served as First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers from 2008 to 2013 and as the Second Secretary of the Communist Party's Central Committee from 2011 to 2021, stepping down at the VIII Congress.
Though he no longer holds formal roles, he remains a significant figure within the communist hierarchy.
Díaz-Canel publicly congratulated him on his 95th birthday in October 2025.
Guillermo García Frías: The Nonagenarian Still Active
Guillermo García Frías, born on February 10, 1928, in Manzanillo, is the eldest of the group. A combatant in the Sierra Maestra alongside Che Guevara, he served as Minister of the Food Industry from 1980 to 1986.
Since 1993, he has headed the National Enterprise for the Protection of Flora and Fauna, a state entity under the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces linked to GAESA.
At 97, he remains active: in April 2025, he inaugurated a laboratory for assisted cattle reproduction in Jimaguayú, Camagüey. The company he leads operates as a family fiefdom, with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson holding managerial positions within the same institution.
Together, these four men symbolize six decades of dictatorship in Cuba: they constructed the system, sustained it, and, in several cases, continue to control it from the shadows or through formal positions while the nation faces its worst economic crisis in decades.
FAQs on Cuba's Revolutionary Leaders
Who is the most influential figure among Cuba's nonagenarian leaders?
Raúl Castro is considered the most influential, as he remains the true power behind the Cuban regime despite officially retiring from formal leadership roles.
What role does GAESA play in Cuba's economy?
GAESA is a military-business conglomerate that manages approximately $18 billion in strategic sectors, accounting for about 60% of Cuba's economy.
Why is Ramiro Valdés significant in Cuban history?
Ramiro Valdés is significant due to his role as a founder of the G2, the Cuban intelligence services, and his long-standing influence in the Cuban government.