A viral video circulating on social media depicts a group of five or six young Cubans dressed in black tactical gear, including vests, knee pads, and helmets, engaging in simulated hand-to-hand combat at what appears to be a military installation of the regime.
The clip was shared on Thursday on X by user @DiazVismar38292, who sarcastically remarked, “Cuban Delta Force prepares for war against the U.S.; can these tactics really subdue the empire?”
This is a clear nod to Operation Absolute Resolution on January 3, 2026, where U.S. Delta Force units apprehended Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas.
During that operation, 32 Cubans who were part of Maduro's security detail lost their lives, including members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), Interior Ministry (MININT) agents, and personal guards.
The exact location and date of the video's recording remain unknown. It is also unclear which armed institution the youths belong to, though they appear to be either conscripts from the Mandatory Military Service or Interior Ministry cadets being trained as riot control forces, given their gear and a shield marked "POLICE."
The video is part of a continuous stream of mockery on social media accompanying the regime's propaganda campaign since January this year, when Cuba declared 2026 the "Year of Defense Preparation" and established a National Defense Day with military exercises every Saturday.
Previous episodes have been equally noteworthy: in January, the Western Army conducted drills with outdated rifles, without helmets, and in tattered uniforms; in April, maneuvers in Villa Clara featured oxen and mules transporting weapons, leading to the viral comment, "Let the Americans see that technology."
On April 25, the Cuban Foreign Ministry released a video of diplomats practicing shooting with the hashtag #CubaEstáFirme, sparking a similar wave of ridicule.
This Thursday also saw the circulation of an analysis on how the so-called Cuban "Black Wasps" prepare in comparison to the U.S. Delta Force, maintaining the same comparative tone.
The stark contrast between the regime's warlike rhetoric—promising to "give blood and life" following the deaths of its men in Venezuela—and the weekly images it produces, sums up the real state of the forces that Díaz-Canel aims to pit against the "empire," as many Cubans on social media suggest.
Understanding the Cuban Military's Preparedness
What does the viral video of Cuban youths depict?
The viral video shows a group of young Cubans dressed in tactical gear engaging in mock combat at a location resembling a military installation, highlighting the regime's ongoing defense preparations.
How does the Cuban regime's military campaign appear on social media?
The regime's military campaign has been met with mockery on social media, with videos and images depicting outdated equipment and training methods, contrasting sharply with its aggressive rhetoric.
What was Operation Absolute Resolution?
Operation Absolute Resolution was a U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, where Delta Force units captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, resulting in the deaths of 32 Cubans from Maduro's security detail.