The Division General in reserve, Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García, who had been sanctioned by the United States government for abuses against peaceful protesters, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 85.
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) confirmed his death through its social media platforms, noting that Sotomayor was a member of the Rebel Army and held significant positions within both its core and the Armed Forces (FAR).
"His merits earned him the honorary title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba in November 2015, awarded by the General of the Army, alongside numerous decorations including the Order of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, the XX Anniversary of the Moncada Medal, Combatant of the Liberation War, Combatant of the Clandestine Struggle, First Class Internationalist Combatant, as well as the Calixto García, Ignacio Agramonte, Olo Pantoja, and Eliseo Reyes medals, which validate the hero's feats," reads the post on the Minfar Cuba Facebook account.
The post conspicuously omits that in August 2021, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on high-ranking officials Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García and Pedro Orlando Martínez Fernández, as well as the so-called Prevention Troops of the FAR, popularly known as "Red Berets," for abuses against the peaceful protesters who took to the streets of the island on July 11.
A statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the measure when the recently deceased was serving as the head of the MININT Political Directorate.
The sanction is based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against international human rights violators, and both military officials have since been added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN), established decades ago by OFAC to sanction drug traffickers and individuals linked to countries sponsoring terrorism or subject to a trade embargo.
Sotomayor’s remains were cremated and will be on display next Tuesday at the Calzada and K funeral home.
Questions About the Sanctions and Death of General Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the sanctions imposed on General Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García and his recent passing.
Why was General Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García sanctioned by the U.S. government?
General Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García was sanctioned by the U.S. government for abuses against peaceful protesters during the July 11 demonstrations in Cuba.
What is the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act?
The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act allows the U.S. government to sanction foreign individuals who are responsible for human rights violations and corruption.
What positions did Sotomayor hold in the Cuban government?
Sotomayor held significant positions within the Rebel Army and the Armed Forces, eventually serving as the head of the MININT Political Directorate.
What honors and decorations did Sotomayor receive during his lifetime?
Sotomayor received numerous honors, including the title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba, the Order of Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, and various combatant medals.