The National Defense Council of Cuba, meeting this Saturday, approved "the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War" within the framework of what is termed the "strategic conception of the People's War".
The information was disseminated by the official media Cubadebate and Granma, which presented the announcement as part of the Defense Day activities.
According to the official note:
"In fulfillment of the activities planned for Defense Day and with the aim of enhancing and perfecting the level of preparedness and cohesion among the leadership bodies and staff, the National Defense Council met this Saturday to analyze and approve the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War, as part of the country's preparation under the strategic concept of the War of the Whole People."
As is customary in state propaganda, the language used is more performative than informative.
The statement does not specify what concrete measures were approved, what real implications this supposed "preparation" will have, nor what level of mobilization is expected from the civilian population.
The report concluded by clarifying that "Army General Raúl Castro Ruz remained informed about the progress of the activity, which he described as a good and efficient meeting.”
The renewed prominence given to Raúl Castro—officially retired from power for years—once again highlights the symbolic weight the regime assigns to his figure, even above the designated president Miguel Díaz-Canel, who is completely absent from the statement.
He is not even mentioned as the Chief of the National Defense Council.
In a country where access to food, electricity, medicines, and basic services is increasingly precarious, and where mass migration surpasses historical figures, the announcement of this "move to a State of War" sounds, at best, like an absurd provocation; and at worst, like a veiled threat against the population itself.
Cubans on social media are outraged and mocking: "What are we supposed to defend?"
The citizens' response was immediate.
Social media, one of the few spaces where Cubans can express themselves without the filters of the government, erupted with indignation, sarcasm, and skepticism. For many, the announcement is a propaganda distraction amidst the deep national crisis:
"Put the troops to planting sweet potatoes."
"Warfare of the entire people... without involving the people."
"What needs to be invested in here is the quality of life for the population, because what the Americans are going to do is just let this fall apart on its own. Focus on what truly matters."
"In times of peace, there is no electricity, water, gas, food, or medicine. Imagine with a naval blockade; I don't know what fighting spirit they expect, nor what the people are supposed to defend—are they defending the round leaders?"
" Cuba does not need trenches or military parades. It needs food, electricity, medicines, dignified wages, and freedom."
"Isn't Canel the head of the National Defense Council? Because it seems like Raúl is still in charge."
“State of war? We've been in that since 1959, but against hunger and misery.”
"The real battle is the one over food production, not this nonsense."
"Let them go to the front. I would like to see the high-ranking officials in the front row, not hidden away in an air-conditioned office."
"I have so much to say about all this, and even though it may not apply in this country, I will exercise my freedom of expression because it comes from my reproductive system."
"Don't count on me and my family for any petty little conflicts."
The military staging: rusty weapons, old speeches
That same Saturday, alongside the Council's announcement, the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (Minfar) released videos of military exercises from the official accounts of the Western, Central, and Eastern Armies.
The images portrayed trenches, gunfire with AK-47 rifles, drones, rocket launches, and controlled explosions, all set to epic music and waving flags.
But what was meant to be a demonstration of power and cohesion was met with widespread mockery: "Drills to intimidate the people"; "Completely outdated systems. Who do they think they can face with that?"; "A mockery in the face of modern military technology."
Other users made it clear that they do not feel there is anything to defend under the current conditions:
"The country is in shambles, people are leaving by the thousands, and now they want to play soldier."; "We have no electricity, no food, no medicine. What homeland is defended like this?"; "With this talk of 'people's war,' what they really want is to force people to mobilize without saying it openly. They have no support, they know it, and that's why they resort to veiled threats," were other opinions.
The context: Military propaganda in the face of fear of collapse
The militaristic turn of the regime is not new, but it has intensified following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3 by U.S. forces.
Since then, the discourse of “resistance” has escalated. Every Saturday, some symbolic action of “preparation for defense” is held, while the country remains mired in its worst crisis in decades.
Some analysts point out that this warlike language aims to stir patriotic emotions, but above all to reinforce internal control, create a sense of threat, and silence the social discontent that is even spreading within the ranks of the ruling party.
"They live like modern pharaohs and the people like slaves from ancient times"; "We are no longer living as human beings; sometimes I wonder if we are even alive"; "At the meetings, only the bellies of those who gather grow"; "What defense are they talking about if all they are doing is defending privileges?" The real battleground is in the kitchens, not in the polygons
The contrast between the regime's warlike rhetoric and the everyday life of Cubans could not be more grotesque:
"I'm without food and haven't showered. I have nothing to cook with. Now that's a war without respite, an eight-hour blackout."
"Children used as political propaganda instead of receiving a free and critical education."
"Where is the little glass of milk that Raúl Castro promised?"
"All this war is against the people, not against any external enemy."
"For that, they do have gasoline and food, for the military."
"God, place Your hand and deliver my beautiful island from this foolishness. Many good people there do not deserve such punishment."
Conclusion: a war that the people do not recognize
The approval of the "transition to a State of War" by the National Defense Council has not been received as an act of unity or national defense.
On the contrary, it has awakened rejection, mockery, and distrust among a citizenry fed up with the prioritization of parades and meetings over basic needs.
Instead of cohesion, it has caused fracture. Instead of trust, fear. Instead of hope, more weariness.
And as a popular comment among the many that flooded social media sums it up:
"The people are at war, yes. But not against the Yankees, rather against hunger, blackouts, and the misery that you yourselves caused."
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