The "saga" of the AKM rifles, recently popularized by , continues. He received a replica of the weapon and a real combat rifle from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, in what may have become one of the most satirized episodes on Cuban social media in recent times.
Now the Minfar and the University Student Federation (FEU) join efforts and creativity during the "University Bastion" to create videos showcasing young people holding these vintage Soviet weapons and reciting to the camera —facing forward, fist raised— slogans about their combat readiness.
"The youth of the FEU of Cuba once again reaffirmed the commitment of the new generations to the defense of the Homeland, reinforcing the historical continuity of the revolutionary work," states the note from Minfar introducing one of the clips.
Verbs such as reaffirm, ratify, and endorse, when accompanied by the word "commitment," often form part of the official propaganda syntax of institutions and the press on the island. However, there is frequently little coherence between what is ratified, the commitment, and the actual aspiration of the ratifier, who is summoned under various pressures—calls, lists, convocations, work threats—to demonstrate their full "combative readiness" against the "enemy."
"Cuban youth, committed to the defense of the homeland, [...] our primary duty is the frontline, with our rifle, and here we are and will be. And just like Silvio, we also have our AKM ready for combat," comments the student featured in one of the audiovisuals. She then emphasizes the duty to "defend the achievements of the revolution."
The hundreds of comments on Facebook came quickly. "What achievements? Tell me one, and I won't comment again," a forum user quipped; meanwhile, another user replied, "That's great, there are now three registered: Silvio, the Italian who requested the AKM, and now you."
There were no shortages of references to emigration, a desire and reality for much of the island's youth, who have formed a diaspora of hundreds of thousands to the most unexpected places on the planet, from Russian Siberia to Argentine Patagonia.
Similarly, some internet users commented that, in the event of an American military aggression, given the increase in military allusions from the Donald Trump administration, the youth would become cannon fodder for the Cuban regime, while the leaders and prominent figures linked to the government would ensure the safety of themselves and their families.
“Y Sandro taking cristach,” joked a user, referring to the privileged life of Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel, who has been making headlines recently, not only for his usual eccentricities but also for throwing a jab at Silvio Rodríguez by stating that there was a "dinosaur" with an AK47 in Cuba.
While these students, possibly leaders of some structure of the FEU, "ratify" that "the defense of the Revolution is the duty of the Cuban youth," according to another student, parents of young people who have died during Mandatory Military Service on the Island are demanding justice for their children and the abolition of this armed institution.
The Minfar has not responded publicly on this matter. The production of audiovisuals seems to consume all their time.
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