Raúl Castro sent this Tuesday a letter to the fighters of the Eastern Army of Cuba on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the founding of that military institution, in which he called on them to firmly confront any enemy aggression until victory is achieved.
The letter, dated April 21 in Havana under the heading "Year of the Centenary of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz," combined a commemorative tone with a message of ideological and military reaffirmation, focusing on the strategic role of the eastern region within the regime's defense system; this amid a context marked by political tensions and reports of possible confrontation scenarios with the United States.
The message was read during a political-cultural gala held at the Celia Sánchez Theater of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party in Holguín, presided over by Major General Eugenio Armando Rabilero Aguilera, head of the Eastern Army.
Castro was not physically present at the event.
The MINFAR published the letter on social media, and it was also read on the National Television News (NTV).
"We arrive on this April 21 at the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Army, which took place just two days after the great victory on the sands of Playa Girón and amidst the revolutionary fervor we all felt after delivering the empire its first defeat in America," he recalled in the letter, where he situated the origin of this structure in one of the most symbolic episodes of the official narrative.
The Army General also recalled a phrase attributed to Fidel Castro to emphasize the importance of that region of the country: “If we save the East, we save the Revolution!”, an idea that for decades has been used by the Castro regime to present that area as crucial for the survival of the system.
Regarding the trajectory of the Eastern Army, Castro emphasized its combative nature.
"From then on, the path of the so-called 'Mr. Army' was forged, not only because of its military might but also due to its combative history, its unwavering response to enemy provocations and aggression, and its demonstrated selflessness in glorious internationalist missions," he pointed out.
He also highlighted his role within the official doctrine.
"It is important to highlight its contribution to our strategic conception of the People's War and its creative application, especially during these times of constant threat to the socialist homeland," he noted, reinforcing the narrative of ongoing preparedness in the face of conflict scenarios.
The emphasis on "steadfastness" ran throughout the message and was summarized in its final section: "May the daily tribute to our heroes inspire the unwavering conviction that the Eastern Army will face any enemy aggression with steadfastness, until victory is achieved."
The letter also included references to the performance of the Eastern Army in civil situations.
"Moreover, the images of their brave troops engaged in rescue and recovery efforts, and later in the rebuilding after the devastating winds of Hurricane Melissa, remain fresh. This practice has marked their entire history and earned them the gratitude of our beloved people," he stated.
The hurricane Melissa, a category 3 storm, devastated eastern Cuba on October 29, 2025, causing damage to over 116,100 homes and affecting 2.2 million people in several provinces in the eastern part of the country.
The letter concluded with a tribute to the fallen: “On this significant occasion, may heartfelt tribute and respect go to those who fell in the line of duty,” before reiterating the call to resistance.
The release of the letter comes at a particularly sensitive time for the island.
In recent weeks, there has been an escalation of tensions between Cuba and the United States, as the political apparatus of the regime attempts to project internal cohesion, discipline, and responsiveness.
In that context, Castro's insistence on "firmness" aligns with a broader strategy.
Just three weeks earlier, on April 2, Raúl Castro sent a similar letter to the Central Army, in which he stated that the Homeland is once again threatened, and expressed his confidence in the military's response capability.
Both letters take place in a year that the regime declared as "Year of Preparation for Defense", accompanied by the People's War exercises and plans approved by the National Defense Council for a possible "transition to a State of War."
The structure of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) divides the country into three major commands - Western, Central, and Eastern - with the latter being responsible for the region where the Guantanamo Naval Base is located, under U.S. control, a key point in any confrontation scenario.
The last confirmed public appearance of Raúl Castro took place on December 2, 2025, during the final session of the National Assembly, where he was described as frail and struggling to walk, reinforcing the symbolic weight of such messages.
Amid an atmosphere of uncertainty, internal crisis, and external pressure, the letter reinforces a central idea for the Cuban regime: the preparation to resist.
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