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The Cuban regime has started to publicly reactivate elements of its doctrine of “all-out people's war” amid rising tensions with the United States, according to a report published by CNN from Havana.
The American network broadcast images and testimonies about military training of civilians and maneuvers organized by the Cuban authorities as the administration of Donald Trump increases political, economic, and strategic pressure against the island.
The report appears just a few days after the visit to Cuba by the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, and amid rumors about a possible federal indictment in the United States against Raúl Castro for the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft in 1996.
CNN notes that the atmosphere on the island is marked by fear and uncertainty, along with growing rumors about a potential worsening of the conflict with Washington.
In that context, Cuban state media have begun to show images of citizens receiving military training and participating in exercises related to territorial defense.
The so-called "people's war" was a strategy promoted by the dictator Fidel Castro during the Cold War, aimed at preparing the civilian population to face a potential foreign invasion through resistance and guerrilla tactics.
According to CNN, the doctrine continues to be part of the ideological and military apparatus of the regime, although the images recently released have attracted attention for occurring amid the current escalation with the United States.
Some videos show soldiers conducting maneuvers with old Soviet weaponry and even transporting military equipment with oxen, also reflecting the material degradation faced by the Cuban military apparatus after years of economic crisis and resource scarcity.
Despite this, experts cited by the network believe that the regime still retains internal mobilization capacity.
The military historian Hal Klepak stated to CNN that the Cuban Armed Forces could mount resistance in the event of a conflict due to their organizational experience and the state's ability to quickly mobilize segments of the population.
"They have repeatedly demonstrated that they are capable of mobilizing the population," the specialist stated.
Meanwhile, Cuban official rhetoric has also hardened.
During the May Day parade, Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that Cubans were ready to "give their lives for the revolution", in a speech characterized by references to national sovereignty and resistance against U.S. pressures.
CNN adds that the Cuban Civil Defense recently distributed guidelines for families to prepare backpacks with essential items in the event of a hypothetical military aggression.
The hardening of the defensive narrative coincides with one of the worst economic moments for the island in decades. Prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and resource depletion have exacerbated social discontent.
Although there are no public indications of an imminent military intervention, the report concludes that the Cuban regime seems determined to prepare the population both politically and psychologically for a prolonged confrontation scenario with Washington.
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