Spokespersons from the government have begun to deny that the Cuban regime has declared a state of war.
“Many people have privately asked me about the alleged declaration of war in Cuba. The answer is NO. Various media outlets reported that ‘The meeting of the National Defense Council analyzed and approved the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War, as part of the country's preparation under the strategic conception of the War of the Whole People,’” reads a post from official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
“In essence, issues from that time in the case to be decreed were reviewed. It is, as I understand, a process that is not new and that is updated based on events and times,” he added.
Statements similar to those made by Alonso have been issued in recent hours by anonymous profiles aligned with the Cuban government.
However, on January 18, the National Defense Council of Cuba approved "the plans and measures for the transition to a State of War" within the framework of what it calls the "strategic concept of the War of All the People."
The information was disseminated by the official media Cubadebate and Granma, which presented the announcement as part of the activities for Defense Day.
According to the official note:
"In accordance with 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 personnel, the National Defense Council met this Saturday to analyze and approve the plans and measures for moving to a State of War, as part of the country's preparation under the strategic concept of the People's War."
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, clarifying that "General of the Army Raúl Castro Ruz remained informed about the development of the event, which he described as a good and efficient meeting.”
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