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A special report from Cubalex warns that Cuba is experiencing a phase of increasing social militarization, characterized by patrols, prolonged blackouts, deployments of repressive forces, and territorial control mechanisms that directly impact the daily lives of the population.
The document, titled Social Militarization and De Facto Exceptionalism in Cuba, analyzes the events that occurred in March 2026 and concludes that the regime has moved from a preventive stage to an operational phase of direct control over civil space.
According to Cubalex, during that month 31 significant events related to security, defense, and repression were documented, which represents an increase of over 240% compared to February. Of these, approximately 61% were related to incidents of repression or direct control over the population.
The report states that the energy crisis, with prolonged blackouts in various provinces, has been used as a context to intensify surveillance, identity checks, and the presence of police, military, and special troops in streets, parks, and residential areas.
Among the highlighted episodes are protests and loud pot-banging in places like Morón, Santiago de Cuba, Havana, Santa Clara, and Guantánamo, followed by deployments of patrols, special brigades, and security units. Cubalex interprets these events as part of a national pattern and not as isolated actions.
The report also warns about the inclusion of civilians, students, and workers in defense or surveillance structures. In some cases, participation in activities such as the “University Student Bastion” may have been influenced by academic or work-related pressures.
For the organization, this dynamic blurs the line between civilian and military and expands the coercive capacity of the State beyond the formal armed and police forces.
Cubalex identifies five main indicators in the observed process: preventive militarization, reactive militarization, use of warlike rhetoric, control of strategic resources, and civil participation in military or control structures.
The report also emphasizes that the regime uses war language to present social discontent as an internal threat. Phrases like “enemies of the Revolution” or “unconventional warfare” would, according to the analysis, serve to justify surveillance and repression measures against dissenting citizens.
From a legal standpoint, Cubalex states that Cuba is living in a “de facto exceptionalism”, as measures typical of a state of emergency are being applied without it being formally declared or subjected to legal oversight.
The organization argues that there is no public emergency that justifies the activation of extraordinary powers and warns that the observed measures are incompatible with international human rights standards.
The report concludes that the level of risk is high for fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and civic space in Cuba.
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