Cuba Holds National Military Drills

The Cuban government declared on November 9 that it would conduct national military drills from November 16 to November 20. During this period of “National Defense Days,” the army and air units will coordinate joint operations to promote readiness for battle and to ensure that the Cuban military prepares itself effectively to mount a defense of the country. Although some contend that the Cuban government announced these exercises in light of the recent victory of Donald Trump in the United States presidential elections, Cuba’s government denied any such connection.

However, according to Time Magazine, analysts are skeptical of the notion that this announcement of the military exercises is coincidental. Rather, they point to several incidents during which Cuba decided to host these exercises in the past. For example, Cuba hosted similar nationwide exercises in 1980 following the election of Ronald Reagan to the United States presidency. These analysts suggest that Cuba’s decisions to host military exercises typically coincide with times of change or tension with its northern neighbor.

However, Cuba’s use of military exercises to boost defense preparedness is unusual. Following the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961, in which the United States attempted to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro using CIA-trained paramilitary personnel, the Cuban government established Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDCs). These paramilitary defense organizations were created to heighten Cuba’s security awareness and defensive measures. The CDCs provided the island with defensive resources throughout the decades of the Cold War, when the country feared another invasion by the United States.

According to the BBC, the Cuban government feels wary of the election of Donald Trump due to his ambiguous stance on U.S.-Cuban relations. At some points in his campaign, Trump echoed conservative inclinations toward Cuba, namely that he seeks to halt the conciliatory policies that Obama has promoted. Although at times he has supported the embargo, Trump has also pronounced himself in agreement with removing some economic barriers between the United States and Cuba. However, he felt that such a rapprochement could only come about through a “better deal” that could surpass the terms Obama negotiated with the Cuban government.

Analysts regard the use of the military exercises in Cuba as an indication of a sense of apprehension regarding the American President-elect and his unclear stance on bilateral relations, as well as an attempt to boost solidarity in the wake of national uncertainty. According to the Guardian, although some Cubans favor reconciliation with the United States, anti-U.S. factions still exist within the Cuban government. Former Cuban diplomat and political scientist Carlos Alzugaray stated that these factions deem “a situation of confrontation better for the revolution.” The anti-U.S. hardliners believe that despite the progress made in rapprochement, Cuba should be ready to combat what they perceive to be sustained aggression by the United States even in the present.

As Cuban soldiers prepare to engage in large-scale military maneuvers, the Granma, the official Communist Party newspaper of the country, declared that the military exercises “constitute an essential element in the reification of the doctrine of the People’s War.”