The People's Supreme Court of Cuba recently shared an infographic on its official Facebook page, outlining Article 4 of the 2019 Constitution. This article declares that defending the socialist homeland is the highest honor and supreme duty of every Cuban, cautioning that "betrayal of the homeland is the most serious of crimes" and is subject to "the most severe penalties."
The court's publication coincided with the day after judges and staff from the Supreme Court signed the "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign. This initiative, launched by the Communist Party of Cuba on April 19, aims to support the Revolutionary Government's Declaration titled "Girón is Today and Always."
Just three days prior, the Trump administration secretly issued an ultimatum to Cuba: release high-profile political prisoners within two weeks as a gesture of goodwill, or face the repercussions from the U.S. government.
The threatening message from the court also states that the socialist system upheld by this Constitution is irrevocable. It asserts that citizens have the right to fight by all means, including armed struggle, if necessary, against anyone attempting to overthrow the political, social, and economic order established by the Constitution.
Analysts and critical sectors interpret this publication as a direct institutional warning to the public about the legal consequences of not aligning with the regime, amidst a severe economic crisis, chronic blackouts, and growing social unrest.
This dissemination of the constitutional precept is part of an unprecedented political mobilization campaign orchestrated by the regime throughout April 2026, a year the government itself declared as the "Year of Preparation for Defense."
Miguel Díaz-Canel was the first to sign the campaign on April 20 at the Ciénaga de Zapata Memorial Museum in Matanzas, where he proclaimed: "We sign the unequivocal declaration that the Cuban Revolution will never negotiate its principles."
The regime has intensified weekly military exercises under the doctrine of "war of the entire people" and called for the May 1 parade under the slogan "The Homeland is Defended," moving the central act from Revolution Square to the Anti-Imperialist Tribune in front of the U.S. Embassy on Havana's Malecón.
As justification for this warlike rhetoric, the regime has cited President Donald Trump's statements from March 28, when he asserted that "sometimes military force must be used and Cuba is next."
The People's Supreme Court, far from operating as an independent judicial body, has acted as an arm of the Cuban state in suppressing dissent. According to data from the court itself, 100% of those tried for electrical sabotage in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 received prison sentences exceeding ten years.
The goal of the signature campaign was to gather millions of endorsements before May 1, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs victory. Critics describe this as a tool of political control and pressure on the population, rather than a genuine expression of popular support.
Understanding Cuba’s Political Climate and Legal Warnings
What does Article 4 of the Cuban Constitution state?
Article 4 of the Cuban Constitution asserts that defending the socialist homeland is the highest honor and duty of every Cuban, and warns that betrayal is the gravest crime, punishable by severe penalties.
What is the "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign?
The "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign is an initiative by the Communist Party of Cuba to gather signatures in support of the Revolutionary Government's declaration, "Girón is Today and Always."
Why is the Cuban regime intensifying military exercises?
The Cuban regime is intensifying military exercises under the doctrine of "war of the entire people" to prepare for possible conflicts and to mobilize political support, especially in light of statements from former President Trump about potential military action.