The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba published this Sunday on its official Facebook page an image of soldiers in a combat position, carrying RPG grenade launchers in an open field trench, accompanied by the constitutional phrase “The defense of the socialist homeland is the greatest honor and the supreme duty of every Cuban”. The post sparked a wave of criticism, mockery, and rejection among internet users.
The text of the post added: "There is no weapon more powerful than the strength that comes from the unity of a people." The central phrase literally corresponds to the Cuban Constitution of 2019, which also establishes that betrayal of the homeland is "the gravest of crimes."
The publication is part of the so-called "Year of Preparation for Defense 2026," a campaign of military and ideological mobilization declared by the regime under the doctrine of the "War of All the People." Over the months, the MINFAR has intensified its presence on social media with warmongering messages, videos of tactical exercises, and slogans such as "For Cuba, there is no alternative, victory or death," all of which have been met with widespread ridicule.
On this occasion, the reaction was no different. One of the most shared comments directly labeled the Armed Forces as "charlatans and frauds," adding: "Living in horrible poverty and misery. Keep pushing that fascism that [is] communism." Another user bluntly asked: "So, is it mandatory to defend socialism even if you don't believe in it?"
Several internet users questioned the ideological premise of the message. "Why does the homeland have to be socialist? [...] It’s better to hold elections and let the people decide rather than impose an ideology through force that benefits a few corrupt individuals who have hijacked the homeland," wrote one. Another was more direct: "The problem is that they want to impose the idea that the Castros and the PCC are the homeland… and that is not the case!"
Ironies about the weaponry were also abundant. Users pointed out that the RPG grenade launchers visible in the image are "obsolete" and reminiscent of "World War II," while others asked whether the soldiers had gotten breakfast. "Let the leaders and small business owners defend it, as they are the ones living well," wrote another internet user. And one more summarized the feelings of many: "But you can't live on pure patriotism, so get real."
The gap between militaristic rhetoric and the everyday reality of Cubans is the main trigger for this rejection. According to data from the Food Monitor Program released in May 2026, more than 30% of the surveyed households had at least one member who went to bed hungry in the previous 30 days, a figure that increased by 9.3 percentage points compared to 2024.
The Ministry of Food Industry acknowledged in June that the regulated basket had not distributed oil, chicken, or yogurt at all during the year, and that only one round of coffee had been delivered in Havana. The World Food Program also reports a contraction of the Cuban GDP by 15% over the last six years, along with persistent inflation and fuel shortages.
This pattern of military propaganda followed by massive ridicule is not new. Previous publications from MINFAR about military training accumulated thousands of views with comments dominated by sarcasm. In July, a new post with images of overweight military leaders generated the same effect again. In April, the Supreme Court even threatened Cubans who do not defend the homeland as part of this same campaign.
The geopolitical context adds another layer of tension: on August 6, the United States sanctioned five companies and eight Cuban officials for purchasing arms from Russia and China, precisely as MINFAR intensifies its war preparation propaganda. “Noble blood for the tyrant to remain in power,” summarized an internet user the contradiction that millions of Cubans live daily.
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