In response to the US detention of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Cuba is preparing to declare a « state of war » in an effort to counter threats from Donald Trump.
State media reported on Sunday that the Cuban National Defense Council has approved « plans and measures » to implement a nationwide « state of war. »
The press release indicated that these measures would be based on the concept of « war of all the people, » a strategy promoted in the 1980s under former leader Fidel Castro during the collapse of their ally, the Soviet Union. However, it did not provide details on how this would be executed.
This policy, which forms the cornerstone of Cuban military doctrine, mandates the involvement of civilians in the war effort in case of a potential attack.
To safeguard the island against possible assault, the armed forces have trained residents across the country in combat and weaponry.
Following Maduro’s arrest, the Trump administration, particularly US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is the son of Cuban exiles, predicted imminent collapse for the beleaguered nation and announced it would no longer receive Venezuelan oil.
Previously, Trump had escalated threats against the communist regime, intensifying embargoes, blocking fuel and medical supplies from entering the country, and designating it as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Despite facing one of its most severe economic crises since the 1959 revolution and losing its ally, Havana has openly rejected Trump’s claims. Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has frequently appeared in public donning a military uniform and delivering speeches that criticise US aggression.
Since the US raid, Cuba has amplified its anti-imperialist rhetoric and ramped up military exercises as a display of defiance to Washington.
On Sunday, the Cuban military announced their readiness to « defend the homeland, the revolution, and socialism in any circumstance and condition, even death if necessary. »
During a public funeral for the 32 Cuban guards who were killed during the Caracas assault, Díaz-Canel addressed the crowd, proclaiming: « homeland or death, we will prevail. »
He continued, stating: « We are millions of Cubans, ready to fight if we are attacked with the same ferocity as our 32 fallen combatants, » clearly alluding to the military doctrine.
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