Julio César Gandarillo, Cuba's Interior Minister, Dies in La Habana

November 24, 2020

In the early hours of November 24, 2020, Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Gandarilla Bermejo, who served as Minister of the Interior, died due to a prolonged illness.

The Cuban News Agency reports that Vice Admiral Gandarilla Bermejo amassed a brilliant service record, holding important responsibilities in the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior. His performance was always distinguished by proven loyalty.

A Vice Admiral of the navy and head of Cuban military counterintelligence for 16 years, Gandarilla Bermejo was First Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior when he was appointed by former president Raúl Castro to succeed the deceased minister of that portfolio, Carlos Fernández Gondín, in January 2017.

With total respect for his wishes, his body will be cremated and no military ceremony or public activity will be held at the funeral rites.