Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez oversaw extensive military exercises on National Defense Day, emphasizing the nation’s preparedness against potential foreign aggression. The tactical demonstrations at the Great Tank Unit of Combat Glory Rescate de Sanguily featured combined forces from regular military units, Territorial Troop Militias, and Production and Defense Brigades.
Accompanied by high-ranking military officials including Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera and General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Díaz-Canel observed the drills that began three weeks prior. The President highlighted the significance of these exercises in the current geopolitical climate, specifically referencing the “hegemonic offensive being carried out by the United States government” since January 3.
The drills demonstrated remarkable coordination between different components of Cuba’s territorial defense system. Díaz-Canel praised the “levels of preparation, cohesion, and cooperation” as admirable, noting that the systematic preparation program is yielding concrete results while strengthening national patriotism and anti-imperialist sentiment.
The President later visited university students practicing rifle assembly, mine deployment, and other combat skills. He emphasized to the future professionals that defense preparedness remains crucial, echoing historical warnings from Fidel and Raúl Castro that the best deterrent against aggression is comprehensive military readiness. The students responded with revolutionary slogans including “Fatherland or Death!” and “No one surrenders here!”
The inspection concluded at an air defense unit where Díaz-Canel verified combat technology conditions and observed demonstrations of Cuba’s response capabilities to potential enemy attacks.