Cuba’s military is facing fresh threats from the US and is following a similar script to the late Fidel Castro, making it clear they’re prepared to defend themselves even if they lack the capabilities, according to Cuba policy expert Frank Mora.
Cuba’s Military Capabilities
The Cuban military has deteriorated since its Cold War-era might, with its remaining assets rarely featured in public-facing releases. Decades ago, the Air Force operated several MiG fighter jets, nearly all of which are likely now dysfunctional, experts say.
Footage reviewed by CNN reveals the reduced state of Cuba’s combat force, with hundreds of videos and images published online by the island nation’s military and government in recent months illustrating the aging hardware and limited capabilities of the Cuban forces.
Guerrilla Tactics
Cuban officers are opting to train soldiers in guerrilla tactics rather than conventional warfare, a strategic departure corroborated by retired US Marine Colonel Mark Cancian. This shift could make the Cuban military much harder to subdue, even for a stronger adversary, Cancian said.
Cuba’s military has more than halved in recent years, from over 235,000 active-duty personnel to at most 50,000, after the loss of Soviet support. The force continually trains on decades-old Soviet equipment, much of which was given as foreign aid before the USSR’s collapse in 1991.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
