On Friday, the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) marked the 45th anniversary of the Prevention Troops with a social media post highlighting their repressive role. The statement emphasized their unwavering commitment, declaring, "In our homeland, there will always be a place for the 'red berets,'" describing the unit as a force relentlessly combating the so-called enemies of the Revolution.
The announcement, shared on MINFAR's official Facebook page, featured an image of the unit's embroidered patch—a red and black five-pointed star with the initials "FAR" and the word "PREVENTION"—stitched onto olive green military fabric.
Origins and Purpose of the Prevention Troops
Established on September 11, 1981, by Raúl Castro, the Prevention Troops operate under the Military Counterintelligence (CIM) within MINFAR's structure. Their official duties include maintaining discipline among officers and soldiers, overseeing military resources, and tracking deserters or absentees, effectively functioning as an internal military police for the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
International Scrutiny and Sanctions
The unit gained international attention following the July 11, 2021 protests. On August 13, 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Prevention Troops under the Global Magnitsky Act for their involvement in suppressing peaceful demonstrators.
These were the first direct sanctions from Washington against a unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces for internal repression and included officers Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García and Pedro Orlando Martínez Fernández. Human Rights Watch documented the involvement of Cuban military and police forces, including elite units, in abuses during the July 11 protests.
Ongoing International Pressure
International pressure has persisted since then. In July 2025, the U.S. sanctioned the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, and the Minister of the Interior, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, for human rights violations linked to the July 11 protests.
More recently, in July and August of this year, Washington issued additional sanctions against Cuban regime entities, including the Rapid Response Brigades and the Territorial Troops Militias.
The language used by MINFAR during the anniversary—"relentless combat against the enemies of the Revolution"—highlights the militaristic rhetoric the regime employs to justify the role of its armed forces against its own citizens amid increasing international scrutiny of its repressive structures.
The 40th anniversary of the Prevention Troops, held on September 11, 2021, was attended by Raúl Castro amid the oppressive crackdown that followed the July 11 protests, when the regime deployed military and police forces against those who took to the streets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Prevention Troops
What are the main duties of Cuba's Prevention Troops?
The Prevention Troops are responsible for maintaining discipline within the military, overseeing the use of military resources, and locating deserters or absentees, effectively acting as an internal military police.
Why did the U.S. impose sanctions on the Prevention Troops?
The U.S. sanctioned the Prevention Troops for their role in suppressing peaceful demonstrators during the July 11, 2021 protests, as part of a broader effort to address human rights violations in Cuba.
How has international pressure affected Cuba since the July 11 protests?
International pressure has led to continued sanctions against Cuban officials and entities, highlighting global concern over human rights abuses and the regime's repressive actions against its citizens.