Arnaldo Ochoa was more than Castro's general. He was a revolutionary veteran, war hero, and once considered a friend. In 1989, Castro had him executed for drug trafficking, crimes that required government approval to commit. Ochoa knew too much about Castro's own involvement in drug operations funding international missions, or perhaps he had simply become too popular and powerful. The televised confession was likely forced, the trial a spectacle. Officers who served with Ochoa were purged, send

Cuba's Most Decorated General Was Executed Arnaldo Ochoa earned Cuba's highest military honors fighting in Angola, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, making him one of the revolution's most celebrated figures. In 1989, Castro ordered his execution for drug trafficking and treason after a televised trial where Ochoa confessed to crimes everyone knew involved government infrastructure. Ochoa had no corruption history and was known for integrity, yet he allegedly participated in operations requiri