The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba recently made waves with a provocative statement on its official Facebook page, echoing the militaristic rhetoric of the late dictator Fidel Castro.
The post declared, “War can only end with victory or death, and for Cuba, there can be no alternative but victory, whatever the cost,” alongside an image of a soldier aiming an AK-47 rifle from a rocky perch in a rural Cuban setting.
Accompanying the image was a bold statement on a red background, warning, “War should not be provoked, but we will fight if the enemy imposes it,” with the words “not” and “provoke” highlighted in yellow.
“No matter the cost, our people will prevail!” is one of the declarations made by Fidel Castro during the closing ceremony of the first Revolutionary Congress of the National Federation of Barbershop and Hairdressing Workers, held at the CTC theater on June 7, 1960.
This announcement comes during a period of heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States. Recently, former President Trump stated in The Villages, Florida, that the U.S. would “take Cuba almost immediately,” threatening to position the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier just 100 yards from Cuban shores to force the regime's surrender.
On the following day, President Díaz-Canel warned delegates from 36 countries about “the imminence of a military aggression” by the U.S., invoking the “War of All the People” doctrine, asserting that “every Cuban has a rifle” and a designated defense position.
MINFAR's social media presence has ramped up its propaganda efforts since the regime declared 2026 as the “Year of Preparation for Defense.”
In January, the ministry warned that “no enemy will be safe in Cuba” and cautioned about a supposed “genocide” if socialism falls, using warlike rhetoric amid Cuba’s economic collapse.
By March, MINFAR criticized “soft positions against the adversary” on social networks, showcasing university students in military drills, including AK rifle practice and assembling anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
On May 1, Trump signed an executive order significantly expanding sanctions against the regime, targeting the energy, defense, mining, and financial services sectors with immediate effect.
The quote referenced by MINFAR ties back to Fidel Castro’s rhetorical legacy, with his slogan “Homeland or Death” first spoken on March 5, 1960, during the memorial for the victims of the La Coubre steamship sabotage, encapsulating a doctrine of unwavering resistance to external threats that the regime has wielded for decades.
Díaz-Canel concluded his Sunday speech with a warning encapsulating the tone of this entire propaganda campaign: “We do not fear war, and there will be neither surprise nor defeat here.”
Understanding the Tensions Between Cuba and the United States
What prompted MINFAR's recent provocative statements?
MINFAR's statements are a response to increasing tensions with the United States, notably following former President Trump's aggressive remarks about taking Cuba by force.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to U.S. threats?
Cuban leadership has invoked historical doctrines of resistance and defense, emphasizing a national readiness for military confrontation should it be necessary.
Why is 2026 significant for Cuba’s military strategy?
The Cuban regime has declared 2026 as the “Year of Preparation for Defense,” intensifying military readiness and propaganda amidst escalating international tensions.