Mother Expresses Fear as Cuban Military Uses Her Son for Propaganda

The Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) released a video featuring a mother and her son, who had just completed his Active Military Service, to portray the experience as a period of discipline and personal growth. This comes at a time when the institution faces heavy criticism following young soldiers' deaths during their service.

The two-minute and 28-second video was posted on Monday by Cuba's Central Army as part of the official campaign "#ElSigloDeFidel," promoted by the regime to commemorate the hundredth birthday of dictator Fidel Castro.

"Initially, like any mother, I was very fearful, given the current circumstances in our country," the woman admits, before expressing that she ended up "extremely proud" of her son for completing the service "with integrity, discipline, and courage."

Although she does not specify the circumstances she refers to, her comments occur amid a severe economic and social crisis characterized by prolonged power outages, scarcity of resources, and deteriorating living conditions.

The young man also provides a positive testimony, speaking of the pride felt by his family and neighbors. At times, his words closely echo those of his mother, within a video that centers on a positive narrative about Military Service.

"The homeland called, and they answered," reads the text accompanying the FAR's publication, portraying the young men who finish this phase as "upstanding citizens."

Contradictory Realities for Cuban Families

The image promoted by the FAR starkly contrasts with the accounts of numerous Cuban families who have lost sons during Military Service.

According to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory, at least 97 young men died during Military Service between 2001 and the spring of 2026. The average age of these victims was just 18, with suicide being the most documented cause of death.

Recent cases include Abraham Limonta Estrada, 17, who died in February 2026, and Dailier Rodríguez Tamayo, 19, who passed away in March while serving in Havana.

Among the most notable incidents is that of Antonio Rassi Roque, 18, who died on August 18, 2025, at Military Unit 5050 "El Calvario" in Havana. His mother, Mercedes Roque, has been seeking justice for over a year and has denounced that the case file was provisionally closed.

The Cuban state does not publish official statistics on deaths occurring during Military Service.

According to National Defense Law No. 75, Active Military Service is mandatory for Cuban males. Pre-enlistment begins at 16, and Cuba does not recognize conscientious objection. Since 2024, there have also been fines for those who fail to fulfill certain obligations related to military registration and summons.

The FAR's publication failed to convince many Facebook users.

"It's shameful to see this in 2026," one person commented. Another highlighted the post-service reality: "He returned, but what future awaits him? Where will he find employment? What was the sacrifice for?"

A third user was even more blunt: "Six decades of misery and repression is all this dictatorship has given us."

These comments illustrate the disconnect between the prideful image the FAR attempts to project and the concerns of many Cuban families regarding a mandatory service surrounded by questions about conditions in military units and the deaths of young servicemen.