A former Cuban lieutenant colonel, who spent nearly two decades imprisoned following the purges of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) during the 1990s, has a definitive stance on the perception held by exiles that the Cuban military is an adversary: they are mistaken.
Born in Guantánamo in 1945 and now residing in Spain, Máximo Omar Ruiz Matoses was arrested in November 1990 after urging the resignation of Fidel and Raúl Castro at a high-level meeting. He served 20 years in prison, facing charges of desertion, espionage, and insubordination, among others. His detention occurred in the oppressive atmosphere that followed the execution of General Arnaldo Ochoa, Tony de la Guardia, and two other officers on July 13, 1989—a purge utilized by the regime to discipline commanders who had amassed autonomy and dissatisfaction.
The Role of the Military in Cuba's Future
In an interview with Tania Costa on CiberCuba, Ruiz Matoses addressed the debate on the military's role in a potential Cuban transition. "When some civilians suggest that the Army... On the contrary, efforts should be made to engage them because they are the men and women Cuba must inevitably rely on in the future when liberation occurs," he stated.
The former officer argues that dismissing or demonizing the military would be a strategic blunder with severe consequences. He believes not all commanders have equal influence, but some are pivotal: "Perhaps a Chief of Staff officer is not decisive, but an officer commanding a brigade or mechanized troops can completely change the game."
Discontent Within the Ranks
He emphasized that during his purge in the 1990s, there were already dissatisfied soldiers who have since risen through the ranks and gained more power. Ruiz Matoses highlighted their shared experience of shortages and blackouts with the rest of the Cuban populace, suggesting that their dissatisfaction likely persists.
His analysis extends beyond strategy to the internal erosion of the regime. Ruiz Matoses describes how subordinate officers in the FAR—captains and below—already live under the same conditions as the general population. "The subordinate officer returns home to rest, to be with family... his wife tells him: Honey, I can't even offer you coffee because the ration is gone," he recounted. The regime's financial incentives, he added, do not compensate for this reality: "They might offer some perks, a higher salary, but what can they buy with that? What's the price of a dozen eggs?"
Potential for Rapid Change
This accumulated discontent, he argues, could lead to a swift rupture if the people take to the streets again, as they did on July 11, 2021. "If a call is made from the bottom, they could collapse in 24 hours, just so you know," he warned.
Ruiz Matoses is also the father of two well-known activists: biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola—convicted of insubordination in 2018 and released after a hunger strike—and his sister Omara Ruiz Urquiola. Regarding them, the former military officer does not hide his pride or sense of responsibility: "Of course, I'm proud of them. I always say I'm to blame for their courage and determination." However, the family has paid a steep price: "Today my family is scattered across the globe. I have none with me."
Reflecting on Castro's Legacy
The interview was recorded on Thursday, August 13, the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth, a date Ruiz Matoses used to draw a stark comparison. "It was neither socialism nor communism; it was a dictatorship. And it wasn't a soft dictatorship like Pinochet's, who paved the way for elections when he left power," he noted.
He was even more forceful regarding the legacy of Castro's regime: "I hope that if Cuba is liberated, the stone marking where his ashes rest is thrown into the Mariana Trench, which is over 11 kilometers deep, so that not even bad spirits can escape from there."
Now exiled in Spain, Ruiz Matoses has joined the Cuban Movement of Conscientious Objector Soldiers, an organization co-founded in February 2021 with retired Brigadier General Rafael del Pino and other former officers, aiming to urge the Armed Forces not to repress the Cuban people.
Understanding the Role of the Cuban Military
Why does Ruiz Matoses believe the military is crucial for Cuba's future?
Ruiz Matoses asserts that the military is essential in any future transition because they are the individuals Cuba will inevitably need to rely on when seeking liberation.
What are the main grievances of the Cuban military according to Ruiz Matoses?
According to Ruiz Matoses, Cuban military personnel face similar shortages and hardships as the general population, such as lack of basic goods and electricity, leading to growing dissatisfaction.
What impact could public demonstrations have on the military's stance?
Ruiz Matoses suggests that renewed public protests could rapidly lead to a major shift, with potential for the regime to collapse quickly if the military sides with the people.