Just two weeks after the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 13 military personnel, including nine recruits, at an ammunition warehouse in Melones, Holguín, the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) launched the Bastion 2024 Strategic Exercise. This event, like previous years, highlighted the outdated nature of the Cuban regime's military equipment.
From the onset, marked by a tedious speech from ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel and the lukewarm endorsement of nonagenarian General Raúl Castro—whose presence seems increasingly ceremonial—the event underscored the obsolescence of the "war of all the people" doctrine as an outdated propaganda tool. The Cuban government's so-called "continuity" has repeatedly shown its inability to steer the nation and its reluctance to implement necessary reforms.
Under the guise of preparing the nation for defense, Díaz-Canel's administration, burdened by the island's worst crisis, performs a balancing act to maintain the status quo of Cuba's ruling elite. The result of this endeavor was encapsulated in images of the regime's leaders in military garb, their unfit and disheveled appearances more akin to a band of fugitives than steadfast defenders against the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump and his Cuban-American high command.
The Farcical Display of Military Might
Despite the regime's best efforts, the military exercises inspired pity rather than fear, as Cuba finds itself back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. With statements from the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the aggressive foreign policy stance of the Republicans, the alarms are ringing in Havana. However, the "combat readiness" displayed hardly commands respect.
The sight of an army largely composed of undernourished conscripts and officers, clad in shabby uniforms, armed with antiquated weaponry from Cold War leftovers, was a testament to the regime's desperate posturing. These included relics like RPGs, outdated tanks, and other Soviet-era military equipment that barely pose a threat beyond pest control aircraft.
Ridicule on Social Media
The official media's portrayal of the Bastion 2024 exercises left a trail of absurd scenes, quickly becoming fodder for ridicule on social platforms. A report by the National Television News (NTV) titled "Production and Food Protection in Bastion 2024" and footage of "special troops" training at a university were particularly laughable.
One segment depicted a dramatized FAR exercise defending an agricultural unit from "enemies" — a trio of alleged thieves targeting bananas and livestock. The exaggerated response included surveillance towers, communication setups, and even a drone, showcasing a misplaced sense of "modernity." Uniformed personnel and farmers, armed with antiquated shotguns, were seen galloping to the rescue.
In a scene destined for social media fame, a video captured "special troops" attempting to storm a building, possibly at the University of Oriente. The soldiers' strategy involved rappelling from the rooftop, resulting in a disastrous descent that left viewers in shock.
The exercise concluded in embarrassment, likely even for General Álvaro López Miera, the FAR minister. With misadventures involving banana thieves and soldiers risking dental health, the outdated military assets, like the Aero L-39 Albatros trainer aircraft, were laughably presented as cutting-edge in national defense by Cubadebate.
Key Questions on Cuba's Military Exercises
What was the purpose of the Bastion 2024 exercise?
Bastion 2024 was intended to demonstrate Cuba's military preparedness, though it primarily highlighted the obsolescence of its military equipment and the regime's struggle to maintain a facade of defense readiness.
How did social media react to the Bastion 2024 exercise?
Social media platforms were flooded with ridicule and criticism, as numerous scenes from the exercise were deemed absurd and laughable by viewers, questioning the credibility of Cuba's military capabilities.
What military assets were highlighted during Bastion 2024?
The exercise showcased outdated military equipment such as RPGs, Soviet-era tanks, and the Aero L-39 Albatros, a training aircraft, as part of Cuba's defense arsenal.