Cuba hands out weapons to citizens – ‘prepare for invasion’ | World | News
It is reported that Cuba started distributing weapons to civilians after the government called on its people to be prepared against a possible US invasion.
Reports from Latin American publication End of Version say: “In opposition to the deployment of American military force near the island, the Havana government began distributing weapons to citizens and officially urged them to prepare for an imminent foreign invasion.”
The publication also stated that daily life in Havana, the capital of Cuba, is disrupted by ongoing preparations for a possible military conflict, and government institutions and organizations are currently discussing emergency measures.
According to the same report, these measures were triggered by increased tensions around the island and a significantly increased US military presence in the region.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, in a statement on May 22, emphasized that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was deliberately trying to provoke a military attack against the country and that Cuba has never posed a threat to US national security.
While Rubio announced on May 21 that America would prefer to resolve relations with Cuba through diplomatic means, the US president Donald Trump Days later, on June 4, he announced that the United States intended to overhaul the island’s state system.
In early May, Trump joked that the U.S. Navy would stop in Cuba on its way home from Iran after U.S. forces “finished the job” in the Middle East.
“Now Cuba has problems. We’ll get one done first. I like to get a job done. When we come back from Iran, one of our big ones, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, maybe the biggest in the world, will take it in. Stop about 100 meters off the coast and they’ll say ‘thank you very much. We give up,'” Trump said.
The day after the president’s June 5 announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it was imposing sanctions on relatives of former Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the same day that the sanctions were aimed at tightening the blockade and further worsening relations between Havana and Washington.
Preparations for war have escalated to the point where managers of state-owned buildings are consulting with tenants about logistics, according to CNN correspondent Patrick Oppmann.
The day after the president’s June 5 comments, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it was imposing sanctions on relatives of former Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the same day that the sanctions were designed to tighten the blockade and further strain relations between Havana and Washington.
According to CNN correspondent Patrick Oppmann, preparations for possible conflict have intensified to the extent that managers of state-owned buildings are advising tenants on logistics.
“One of the managers approached us at the government building where our main offices are located and asked if we would need an office during the occupation,” Oppman said.
The United States still maintains Guantanamo Bay, which covers an area of approximately 116 square kilometers and supports thousands of military and civilian personnel, within Cuban territory.
While reactions on social media were predominantly sympathetic to Cuba, one user X commented: “Cuba’s concerns are understandable.
“Recent deployments have also increased the number of troops at the base for additional operations to around 1,000. In this context, it is not surprising that Havana is reviewing its contingency plans and focusing on national defense.”
One user commented: “Cuba may be in real danger from the US escalating against it, but I don’t expect a full-scale invasion by America and if anything, I bet economic and political pressure will increase with limited operations and it won’t be a full-scale war to change the regime!”
