As state television boasted of a "decisive response," "flawless coordination," and "guaranteed defense," the images broadcast by Canal Caribe told a different story during Cuba's National Defense Day military exercises.
The news report portrayed the operation as a "real combat" scenario against a simulated enemy attempting to invade the national territory through an alleged helicopter landing.
According to the official narrative, the air defense responded swiftly, artillery launched its attack, and troops successfully "neutralized" the invader, securing the area without a hitch.
However, the aired footage starkly contrasted the epic tale. Aging helicopters hovered at low altitudes, executing limited maneuvers, with no visible complex operations underway.
On the ground, rusty armored vehicles crawled slowly across arid, neglected landscapes, resembling more of a symbolic display than a modern combat exercise.
In several shots, soldiers were seen riding ordinary motorcycles, lacking visible protection except for basic helmets, carrying long guns as they crossed open fields.
Other images showed militiamen crawling through dry grass with minimal gear, while makeshift structures in the background mimicked military targets.
A testimony included by state TV amplified the propagandistic tone, featuring a militiaman, a barber by trade, who expressed "pride" in defending the homeland, claiming that if everyone protects "their assigned piece," the island will be secure.
This message, echoed for years, once again places the burden of national defense on ordinary citizens in a country plagued by shortages, migration, and social decay.
The visuals, rather than conveying military strength, highlighted precariousness, improvisation, and a war logic disconnected from the daily reality faced by Cubans, many of whom endure power outages, food shortages, and a collapsing healthcare system.
While the official press insists that "every weapon played its part" and that defense is assured, the exercise seems more like a staged performance than a genuine display of military capability.
This simulation seeks to bolster the rhetoric of resistance but exposes the deficiencies of a defense apparatus seemingly stuck in time.
Insights into Cuba's Military Exercises
What was the purpose of Cuba's military exercises?
The exercises aimed to simulate a real combat scenario in which a fictional enemy attempted to invade the national territory, showcasing Cuba's defensive capabilities.
How did state television describe the military exercises?
State television described the exercises as a "decisive response" with "flawless coordination," emphasizing the supposed effectiveness of Cuba's defense against simulated threats.
What inconsistencies were observed in the broadcasted footage?
The footage revealed outdated helicopters, slow-moving rusty armored vehicles, and soldiers with minimal protection, contradicting the narrative of a well-coordinated military operation.
What message did the exercises aim to convey to Cuban citizens?
The exercises aimed to instill a sense of pride and duty in citizens, suggesting that if everyone protects their "assigned piece," the nation's security would be ensured.