The Western Army of Cuba published an institutional message on its official X account promoting Active Military Service (SMA) as combat preparation against potential external threats, amidst heightened tensions with Washington following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces.
The message, accompanied by images of recruits performing physical exercises on an obstacle course, states that "fulfilling the SMA is the opportunity to serve the Homeland with arms in hand if necessary" and that "each day of combat preparation strengthens the character of Cuban youth and turns them into steadfast guardians of the Revolution."
The message comes days after Díaz-Canel visited the Headquarters of the Western Army accompanied by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, Generals Álvaro López Miera and Lázaro Álvarez Casas, Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and other members of the Political Bureau, where he was briefed on the plans for the so-called "War of All the People."
The backdrop of this bellicose rhetoric is the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 by Delta Force of the United States Army, confirmed by President Donald Trump. Cuba described the operation as "state terrorism," and Díaz-Canel vowed to give his blood and his life for Maduro.
In response to that situation, the Cuban regime declared 2026 as the "Year of Preparation for Defense", inaugurated on January 12 with ceremonies in the three branches of the country's armed forces.
Since then, the Western Army has conducted military exercises every Saturday — National Defense Day — which include shooting practice with AK-47 rifles, rocket launches, the use of drones, and drills at firing ranges.
However, the exercises have generated more mockery than fear on social media. Cuban users have pointed out the contrast between the regime's martial propaganda—featuring outdated weaponry, worn uniforms, and inadequate resources—and the reality of an island that endures power outages of over 20 hours a day.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines conducted military exercises in the Caribbean with live fire and air operations in February, amid tensions with Havana.
Delta Force is an elite unit established in 1977, with a history in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The possibility of them one day entering Cuba as they did in Venezuela is the regime's argument to justify its military mobilization campaign, although the gap between the two arsenals could hardly be greater.
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