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The presence and movement of military armored vehicles in areas close to civilian zones in Holguín, as well as escorted containers in Santiago de Cuba, without any official explanation, has raised concern among the population, according to images released this Saturday by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The photographs shared through the Facebook profile of the communicator show camouflaged armored transports, crewed by uniformed personnel, some operating from the upper hatch, as they moved or remained parked in broad daylight in open areas frequented by civilians in Holguín.
So far, authorities have not indicated whether these movements are part of military exercises, routine transfers, or a specific operation.
The institutional silence stands in stark contrast to a context marked by social tensions, reports of forced recruitments, shooting practices, and recent tragedies related to the military.
The display of heavy weaponry in urban environments has reignited public fear and reinforced the perception of increasing militarization, as the population faces a deep economic crisis, food shortages, and ongoing deficiencies in basic services.
In another post, Mayeta warned about the transfer of seven escorted container trucks in Santiago de Cuba, an event that, together with what happened in Holguín, fuels the perception of unusual military movements in the eastern part of the country.
At the same time, the provincial station Radio Angulo reported on the celebration of National Defense Day in Holguín, under the slogan of being “ready to defend the homeland.”
According to the state media, more than a hundred participants received training as part of the so-called People's War, with exercises directed at command bodies, reserve fighters, territorial militias, students, and the civilian population.
These movements occur within a broader context in which the Cuban government announced that Saturdays will be systematically dedicated to military, political, and ideological preparation throughout 2026.
The announcement comes following the escalation of tension with the United States after the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation and the hardening of Washington's rhetoric against Havana.
While the government insists on a scenario of external threat and reinforces its narrative of national defense, questions remain about how this weekly military preparation will impact the work, educational, and everyday lives of Cubans in a country plagued by prolonged blackouts, shortages of fuel, food, and medicine.
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