Father with daughter in military service: "This doesn’t harm anyone, on the contrary, it benefits them."

The father of a young woman who is fulfilling military service (SM) in Cuba defended his daughter's decision, stating that this experience not only does not cause any harm but, according to him, represents a benefit.

In a video shared on TikTok (@eddymar171), the father stated: “This is a decision she made, and I support her in everything,” expressing that from the moment his daughter mentioned her intention to enlist in the military, he did not hesitate to give her his full support, despite the campaigns in Cuba against military service, driven by reports of associated suicides.

In addition, the father emphasized that military service is beneficial for young people, including women, arguing that it provides them with valuable life lessons: "This does no harm to them; on the contrary, it benefits everyone," he stated, without considering the controversies surrounding the actual usefulness of this training and the psychological impact it may have on young Cubans.

Having gone through this experience himself, he emphasizes that such preparation is fundamental to defending the homeland and preserving human values: "The main thing is to defend the homeland in everything," he stated in a speech that reflects a traditional view, without questioning the despotic way in which the officers treat young people during military service.

In last August, a group of future students of the Journalism career gave statements to the National Television News (NTV) in which they highlighted the formative value of their experience in mandatory military service.

"Young people from Guantánamo, the easternmost province of Cuba, who will study journalism, are currently fulfilling Active Military Service," the NTV highlighted in its report, avoiding the term "mandatory" in this case.

In another material released by Canal Caribe, the inclusion of women was highlighted, defending the thesis that it makes them "very good people."

"The preparation provided me with a lot of discipline, a lot of concentration, and pushed me to give my best," defended one of the young women who will study Journalism in the future.

At the end of January, it was announced that young Cuban women who choose to study for a Bachelor's degree in Journalism must first complete one year of Mandatory Military Service. The measure will take effect starting from the academic year 2024-2025.

So far, military service is mandatory in Cuba for males, who are called up for service starting at the age of 16.

However, the regime insists on denying its obligation, despite the fact that the National Defense Law establishes in its Chapter VIII, Section Three (Article 77), that “male citizens, during the year they turn sixteen years old, are required to formally register in the military registry.”