As thousands of residents in Camagüey endure over 20-hour daily power outages and severe water shortages, the Cuban regime conducted military exercises in the province on Friday. These drills were designed to simulate a response to a potential enemy airstrike as part of the National Defense Day activities.
The exercises took place in the 17 Agramonte-Simoni defense zone, where members of the Territorial Troops Militia and Production and Defense Brigades engaged in activities such as assembling and disassembling rifles, handling explosives, and practicing civilian evacuations in the event of a hypothetical bombing, according to a report by the Cuban News Agency.
Guillermo Moya Barreto, head of the defense zone, stated that the aim of these actions was to "ensure the transition to a state of war, address the initial phases of unconventional warfare, and counter enemy invasions."
Provincial Defense Council authorities also established a water supply point, a first aid medical station, and a household repair workshop. While these structures are presented as part of combat readiness, they also highlight the daily shortages faced by the population, the report noted.
National Defense Day exercises were conducted simultaneously in the provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Matanzas, and Cienfuegos on Friday.
Official state television channel Caribe justified the mobilization, claiming that "the threat of an enemy attack on our country makes it imperative to be prepared."
The stark contrast between military rhetoric and the provincial reality is difficult to overlook. Camagüey experiences power outages exceeding 20 hours daily, with the Minas municipality averaging a historic 21.3 hours without electricity.
On June 3, a malfunction at the Cubano-Búlgara pumping station left the city without water for nearly five days.
On June 20, the provincial capital's government resorted to defense zones to distribute charcoal at an official price of 70 pesos per kilogram, compared to the 3,500 or 5,000 pesos it fetches on the informal market, with only 1,700 bags available for the entire city.
Since January, the regime has intensified its military rhetoric by declaring the year as the Year of Defense Preparation, instituting weekly exercises under the doctrine of "War of All the People."
However, this escalation in discourse clashes with the reality of significantly weakened armed forces. According to an analysis by the American network CNN published on June 24, active personnel have dwindled from 235,000 to a maximum of 50,000 soldiers, with outdated Soviet equipment and MiG fighters virtually inoperative due to a lack of fuel and spare parts.
In Morón, located in Ciego de Ávila province, the regime also deployed black berets armed with long rifles during Saturday's exercises, three months after the March 13 protests in the same city, where a 16-year-old boy was shot.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,311 protests across Cuba in May, primarily driven by power outages, while the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) forecasts a 6.5% drop in Cuba's GDP for this year.
Key Insights on Cuba's Military Drills and Economic Challenges
What was the purpose of the military exercises in Camagüey?
The exercises aimed to simulate a response to a potential enemy airstrike as part of National Defense Day. They included activities like assembling rifles, handling explosives, and practicing evacuations.
How has the Cuban regime justified these military mobilizations?
The state television channel Caribe justified the mobilizations by claiming that the threat of an enemy attack makes preparedness obligatory.
What economic challenges is Camagüey currently facing?
Camagüey is dealing with extensive power outages exceeding 20 hours daily and severe water shortages. Additionally, there is a scarcity of affordable charcoal, with a limited supply available at official prices.
What is the current state of Cuba's armed forces?
Cuba's armed forces are significantly weakened, with active personnel reduced to a maximum of 50,000 soldiers and outdated Soviet-era equipment, including nearly inoperative MiG fighters.