Official representatives have begun to refute claims that the Cuban regime has declared a state of war.
"Many individuals have privately asked me about the alleged declaration of war in Cuba. The answer is NO. Several media outlets reported that 'The National Defense Council meeting analyzed and approved the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War, as part of the country's preparation under the strategic concept of the War of the People,'" noted a post by government-aligned journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
"Essentially, matters relevant to that situation were examined in case it were to be declared. From my understanding, this is an ongoing process updated according to circumstances and times," he added.
Statements similar to Alonso's have surfaced recently from anonymous profiles sympathetic to the Cuban government.
However, on January 18, Cuba's National Defense Council approved "plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War" within what they call the "strategic concept of the War of the People."
The announcement was disseminated by official media outlets Cubadebate and Granma, which framed it as part of Defense Day activities.
According to the official statement:
"In compliance with the activities scheduled for Defense Day and with the aim of enhancing and refining the preparedness and cohesion of the leadership bodies and personnel, the National Defense Council met this Saturday to analyze and approve the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War, as part of the country's preparation under the strategic concept of the War of the People."
As is typical of state propaganda, the language used is more about show than about conveying information.
The statement did not specify which concrete measures were approved, the real implications of this supposed "preparation," or what level of civilian mobilization is anticipated.
The report concluded by noting that "Army General Raúl Castro Ruz was kept informed about the development of the activity, which he described as a good and efficient meeting."
Understanding Cuba's Defense Strategy
What did the National Defense Council of Cuba approve?
The council approved plans and measures for a transition to a State of War as part of the "War of the People" strategic concept.
Why is the language used in the official statement seen as performative?
The language is considered performative because it is designed more to display action rather than provide substantive information about the measures and their implications.
Who is Lázaro Manuel Alonso?
Lázaro Manuel Alonso is a journalist aligned with the Cuban government who publicly denied the declaration of a state of war in Cuba.