Former Cuban leader Carlos Aldana Escalante, once seen as the third most powerful figure in Cuba during the 1980s, passed away on Wednesday afternoon in Havana at the age of 82. The news was initially reported by América Tevé and later confirmed by journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla from CaféFuerte, who provided additional details about his passing.
Aldana Escalante succumbed to pneumonia and other complications related to Parkinson's disease, which he had been suffering from for years. He had been hospitalized at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital for nearly a month following a brain injury caused by a fall at his home, as stated by writer Norberto Fuentes, who resides in Miami, to CaféFuerte. During his hospitalization, Aldana underwent surgery to assist with his feeding.
A Political Force During the 1980s
A close associate of Raúl Castro, Carlos Aldana Escalante held significant positions as a member of the Political Bureau and head of the Ideology, Education and Culture, and International Relations departments of the Communist Party's Central Committee. He played a crucial role in the multilateral negotiations that led to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola and Namibia's independence in 1990.
Domestically, Aldana was known for his hardline stance, attempting to dismantle the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), tighten control over the press, and limit criticism from artists and intellectuals. In October 1987, a meeting between journalism students from the University of Havana and Fidel Castro was organized due to criticisms of the press and government system.
The Fall from Grace in the 1990s
The meeting angered Castro, as students posed challenging questions. Subsequently, Carlos Aldana took on the role of crisis manager, orchestrating purges within the Journalism Faculty. The then-dean of the faculty was removed from her position and sent to the Soviet Union, while the Ideological Department of the Central Committee, under Aldana's leadership, took over journalism education to align it with official directives.
However, Aldana's political career collapsed in 1992. He was removed from all positions and expelled from the Communist Party for "serious deficiencies in job performance" and "grave personal errors." Allegations against him included accepting bribes from businessmen like Eberto López Morales, who was imprisoned for fraud and forgery.
Despite the investigations, Aldana managed to avoid legal proceedings and was relegated to an administrative role in the tourism sector in Topes de Collantes until his retirement. Since his fall from grace, he lived in obscurity, away from public life. His name was never mentioned again in official Cuban media. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and children, Carlos and Laura. Details about his funeral and burial have not been disclosed.
As of the closing of this report, official Cuban media had not reported on his death.