On Friday, Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez announced a new "People's March" as part of official ceremonies honoring the 32 Cuban soldiers who perished in Venezuela.
In a message shared on X, Díaz-Canel urged participants to "sing the Anthem to the heroes" and to "thank them for their courage," concluding with a warning: "so that those who underestimate us can know us better."
The march kicked off at 7:30 am, starting from the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune and proceeding to G Street.
This event takes place amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States following a military operation in Caracas that led to the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, during which the Cuban soldiers lost their lives.
In this climate, the Cuban regime aims to project strength, internal unity, and support from the military, using public mobilization as a political showcase both domestically and internationally.
Communications from the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) circulated on Facebook reinforce this narrative, claiming that "thousands of Cubans" participated in the march.
"Members of the FAR and MININT in olive green, standing firm with the people," the statement emphasized, alongside a video showing uniformed personnel prominently leading the march along the Malecón.
The march occurred a day after the tribute to the soldiers who died in Venezuela, an event that also included workers, students, and additional military personnel.
Official coverage repeatedly stresses that public participation was voluntary, a notable claim in a country facing a deep crisis: prolonged blackouts, food and medicine shortages, inflation, and widespread social discontent.
In this scenario, the government seeks to display images of popular support and unity.
Beyond the epic tone of the speeches, there is a crucial point omitted by the propaganda: the deceased soldiers were in Caracas defending a foreign regime, that of Nicolás Maduro, not a national cause or a humanitarian emergency.
The official narrative speaks of "heroism" and "homeland," yet the facts place these soldiers in roles related to the security of the Venezuelan political power.
After years of public silence regarding the military presence in Venezuela, the Cuban regime began receiving the remains of the 32 deceased in Havana on Thursday.
The state meticulously organized and replicated the tributes across various parts of the country. Official media showcased a funeral procession escorted by motorized troops, coffins draped in the Cuban flag traveling down main avenues, honor guards, and ceremonies at military sites.
The initial ceremony took place on the tarmac of José Martí International Airport. From there, the coffins were taken to the MINFAR headquarters, where they were aligned beneath portraits and floral offerings, guarded by honor troops.
In the images, the presence of family members was nearly invisible. Predominantly, there were uniformed military personnel, cadets, officials, ministry and state company workers, airport employees, and institutionally mobilized civilian groups, many holding flags.
These did not appear to be spontaneous crowds but rather organized contingents supporting a political event rather than an intimate mourning.
The official narrative insists on the idea of "fallen in combat," without explaining why the Cuban government previously denied the presence of its military in Venezuela or failed to publicly report these deaths.
However, testimonies aired on state television in recent days, including that of an injured colonel from the operation, confirm that Cuban officers were directly involved in security tasks for the Venezuelan government.
The "People's March" is presented as a gesture of unity and resolve. Yet, in the current context, it serves as a political message: one of defiance to Washington and one of discipline and alignment internally.
The image of uniformed personnel marching down the Malecón reinforces the idea of a nation unified around its government and armed forces.
The emphasis on "voluntary" participation and the epic narrative of sacrifice aims to counteract the loss of trust the state faces. In a time of daily hardships for millions of Cubans, the regime bets on symbolism, anthems, and marches to sustain its story.
Meanwhile, critical questions remain unanswered: why were Cuban soldiers in Caracas, under what agreements, with what mandate, and at what human cost? The "People's March" does not resolve these questions but reopens them.
Key Questions About Cuban Military Presence in Venezuela
Why were Cuban soldiers in Venezuela?
Cuban soldiers were reportedly in Venezuela to protect the regime of Nicolás Maduro, focusing on security tasks related to the political power structure rather than a national or humanitarian cause.
What is the significance of the "People's March" in Cuba?
The "People's March" is intended to demonstrate national unity, discipline, and support for the Cuban government and its military. It is also a political signal of defiance towards the United States amid rising tensions.
How does the Cuban government portray the participation in the march?
The Cuban government emphasizes that participation in the march was voluntary, highlighting themes of heroism and patriotism, despite the country's ongoing crises.