The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba published this Sunday on its official Facebook page an image of soldiers in 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 triggered a barrage 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 states that treason against the homeland is "the gravest of crimes."
The publication is part of the so-called "Year of Preparation for Defense 2026," a military and ideological mobilization campaign declared by the regime under the doctrine of "War of All the People." Over the months, the MINFAR has intensified its presence on social media with warlike 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 comment directly labeled the Armed Forces as "charlatans and scammers," adding: "Living in a dreadful state of poverty and misery. Keep up that fascism which [is] communism." Another user asked bluntly: "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 people decide instead of imposing an ideology by force that benefits three or four fat cats who have the homeland held hostage," one wrote. Another was more straightforward: "The problem is that they want to impose the idea that the Castros and the PCC are the homeland… and that's not true!"
Ironies about the armament 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 questioned whether the soldiers had eaten 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 your act together."
The gap between militaristic rhetoric and the daily 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, an increase of 9.3 percentage points compared to 2024.
The Ministry of Food Industry admitted 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 Programme also reports a contraction of the Cuban GDP by 15% over the past six years, with ongoing inflation and fuel shortages.
This pattern of military propaganda followed by massive ridicule is not new. Previous publications from MINFAR about military training have accumulated thousands of views with comments dominated by sarcasm. In July, a new post featuring images of overweight military leaders generated the same effect again. In April, the Supreme Court even went so far as to threaten 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 the MINFAR intensifies its propaganda for military preparation. "Noble blood for the tyrant to remain in power," summed up an internet user the contradiction that millions of Cubans face daily.
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