This past Friday, Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the Carmelo Defense Zone in the Havana neighborhood of El Vedado, assessing preparations for what the regime ominously terms a potential "exceptional situation."
The state-run ACN agency indicated that this visit is part of the "Year of Defense Preparation 2026," a campaign that has seen near-weekly military exercises since January under the doctrine known as "War of the Entire People."
Díaz-Canel, alongside the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, General Álvaro López Miera, and General José Amado Ricardo Guerra, Secretary of the Council of Ministers, toured the zone's command post, located at the Historical Affairs Office in Vedado. He stated that each community's Defense Zone should serve as its "Party and Government," both in times of peace and conflict, emphasizing that Cuba's challenging context demands such readiness.
The leader stressed the importance of moving from theoretical plans to real-world action. He mandated regular tactical drills, which must include protecting vulnerable groups, ensuring residents are familiar with nearby shelters, and establishing a network of observation points in each area to guide the populace.
Further, he connected recent economic reforms, approved days earlier by the National Assembly, with military preparedness. He noted that Defense Councils should act proactively without waiting for new directives, asserting, "It's crucial to engage with all economic actors to see how we organize, coordinate, and operationalize them, fostering strong, coherent, coordinated local production systems."
Jorge Luis Aneiros Alonso, president of the Carmelo Defense Zone—which encompasses approximately 19,000 people—outlined efforts to certify shelters in basements, sub-basements, and tunnels within the area.
Since January, Díaz-Canel has overseen military exercises almost every Saturday. He monitored operations in San José de Las Lajas on February 28, visited the Western Army Headquarters on March 13, led the eleventh National Defense Day in Habana del Este on March 30, and repeated a similar drill in the Santa Fe Defense Zone a week prior, shortly after announcing economic reforms.
In April, the government released a "Family Guide for Protection Against Military Aggression," providing instructions for assembling emergency backpacks and locating shelters, which sparked widespread sarcasm on social media.
Understanding Cuba's Military Preparedness Efforts
What is the purpose of Díaz-Canel's visits to Defense Zones?
Díaz-Canel's visits aim to evaluate and ensure readiness for what the Cuban regime describes as potential "exceptional situations," as part of a broader military preparation campaign.
How is the "Year of Defense Preparation 2026" implemented?
The program involves frequent military drills and exercises, reflecting the regime's "War of the Entire People" strategy, to boost defense capabilities across the nation.
How have economic reforms been linked to military readiness?
Díaz-Canel has emphasized the need for Defense Councils to take initiative in implementing economic reforms, aiming to strengthen local production systems as part of the nation's defense strategy.