Cuba to celebrate National Defense Day on date of planned protests

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Cuba will carry out annual military exercises on Nov. 20, the same day groups opposed to the island's government announced they will take to the streets to protest against the country's authorities, the Ministry of the Cuban Armed Forces announced Friday.

The military maneuvers, conducted from Nov. 18 to 20, will be carried out as part of a military doctrine known as the “War of the Whole People'' designed to respond to a US invasion. The exercises will conclude on Nov. 20, the National Defense Day.

"Considering the improvement of the epidemiological situation in the country, the Moncada Exercise will continue to be held on November 18 and 19," the Ministry said in a press release.

The protest organizers have requested permission for marches in various cities and have reacted to the government's announcement to “militarize the country” on the same date.

"In reaction to the civility of our march, they respond with the threat of tanks," said playwright Yunior Garcia Aguilera, the promoter of the protests proposed for next month, when Cuba will have reopened its borders for international tourism. "In case anyone still had doubts about the authoritarian and violent character of those who control power in Cuba. We will firmly follow the path of civility and peace," Garcia added.

After the island was hit by historic anti-government protests on July 11, hundreds were arrested in various cities. People protested shortages of food and medicine, price hikes and the government's handling of the pandemic. According to the Cubalex rights group, Cuban forces arrested more than 949 people.

In response to the social unrest, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the US. He called its tight sanctions on Cuba a "policy of economic suffocation".