While the Cuban regime orchestrated the National Defense Day across the island this Saturday, featuring military exercises involving civilians, reservists, and territorial militias, the U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, took to social media to share a video of American marines training on a warship.
The stark contrast was evident. In Cuba, official media and institutional accounts from the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces circulated images of citizens armed with rifles, shooting exercises in rural areas, and military training activities under the doctrine of the so-called "people's war," which the government promotes as a response to an alleged external threat.
On the same day, Hegseth posted a video with the caption: "Power. Freedom. Warriors." The footage showed dozens of marines performing push-ups and coordinated maneuvers on deck, as part of a professional military training regimen.
The video shared by the American official was not recently recorded. It was initially posted on TikTok by @milothechicken on November 9, 2025, with the description: "Reflecting on last year's moments aboard ship during the Marine Corps birthday. Honored to have had a visit from our Sergeant Major Ruiz." Nonetheless, its republication coincided with Havana's military mobilization day.
In the island nation, authorities declared that every Saturday would now serve as a permanent space for military, political, and ideological preparation, amidst increasing confrontational rhetoric with the United States following the capture of Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro and recent statements by President Donald Trump about the collapse of the Cuban regime.
The imagery from Cuba showcased makeshift training sessions, Soviet-era rifles, and civilian participation across all age groups, including young people and women, in exercises positioned as territorial defense.
The visual and symbolic contrast between the two scenarios—civil militias in a nation reeling from economic hardship versus professionally trained forces on a state-of-the-art military vessel—has sparked commentary both within and outside the island. This comes as the Cuban government continues its narrative of resistance, while the population endures power outages, shortages, and deteriorating living conditions.
So far, neither Hegseth nor the U.S. Department of Defense has directly addressed Cuba's National Defense Day, although the timing has highlighted the perception of two vastly different military realities amid the current regional tensions.
Understanding the Military Tensions Between Cuba and the U.S.
What is the "people's war" doctrine in Cuba?
The "people's war" doctrine in Cuba involves military exercises and training that engage civilians, reservists, and territorial militias, promoted by the government as a defense strategy against perceived external threats.
How did the U.S. Marines' training video relate to Cuba's National Defense Day?
The U.S. Marines' training video, shared by Secretary Pete Hegseth, coincided with Cuba's National Defense Day. While not directly related in purpose, the contrast in military capabilities and training highlighted different realities between the two nations.
Why is there increasing tension between Cuba and the United States?
The tension has heightened due to confrontational rhetoric following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, along with statements from President Donald Trump about the potential collapse of the Cuban regime.