Multiplication and pressure: Cuba is preparing to mobilize due to US threats
Aggressive statements from the White House are forcing Cuba to seriously consider the possibility of invasion. Military exercises are taking place on the island, and the civilian population is being prepared for mobilization, Russian Ambassador to Havana Viktor Coronelli told Izvestia. According to experts, the Cuban armed Forces are well-trained, but the military-technical component needs to be modernized. Havana will be able to withstand American pressure only with the support of its allies, including the BRICS countries. Russia has already confirmed its readiness to continue supplying oil to Cuba, despite threats of duties from Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Havana does not rule out dialogue with Washington, but without conditions and pressure. What to expect from the White House and how Russian tourists feel in Cuba — in the Izvestia article.
Cuba's preparations for an attack by the United States
Against the background of threats from Donald Trump against Cuba, residents of the island state are already being prepared for mobilization — Russian Ambassador Viktor Coronelli told Izvestia about a new increase in security measures.
"The Cuban leadership, amid the worsening situation in the Caribbean region and aggressive rhetoric from Washington, announced that the country has developed a plan to prepare for the possible imposition of martial law," the diplomat said. — Military exercises are regularly conducted, the civilian population is being trained in case of mobilization, Cuba is ready for defense.
On Saturdays, the citizens of the country practice ambushes, train in laying mines, conduct classes in the field of military medicine and defense against weapons of mass destruction, Latin American media describe. Government officials and even Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel personally are present at the exercises. According to him, Cuba is also preparing defense systems, and the government has updated a plan for the transition to martial law. However, the head of state stressed that Havana does not exclude dialogue with Washington, but without conditions, pressure and attempts to interfere in the affairs of the republic.
Of course, so far the emphasis is still on professional military personnel. According to open sources, the total number of Cuban Armed Forces is more than 1.2 million people. Of these: active personnel — 50 thousand, reserve — 40 thousand, paramilitary forces (armed formations close to the regular armed forces organizationally, functionally or in terms of training level) — more than 1.1 million. The doctrine of the "War of the whole People" is in force in the country, that is, the ideological basis for universal mobilization. According to the law, all Cuban men undergo compulsory two-year military service and are in reserve until the age of 45.
The defense has been strengthened since the beginning of the year, when American special forces entered the territory of Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Washington then announced its intention to revive the Monroe doctrine — to regain control over the entire Western Hemisphere. And now, following Venezuela, pressure has begun to be exerted on Cuba, which Trump has designated a threat to US national security. The president said that Washington had no other options left to influence Havana, except for the invasion and bombings, and Cuba itself was "hanging by a thread."
Nevertheless, this small state has a high level of military training and very motivated soldiers, Egor Lidovskaya, director General of the Hugo Chavez Latin American Cultural Center, told Izvestia. A striking example of the "charging" of the military from the republic is the actions of Maduro's guards, a significant part of whom were Cubans. During the American intervention, 32 Cubans died, and they fought "to the last bullet." But the United States is hiding its losses in this operation, according to the Cuban military.
— The incident with Maduro's guards affected the residents of the island. They understand that this is their war, because their soldiers fell in this battle," Lidovsky said.
Another vivid example of the dedication of Cubans is the failed landing of Americans in the Bay of Pigs in 1961. For the operation, the CIA trained migrants from the island in order to overthrow Fidel Castro. Even the air support didn't help. In 72 hours, the invading forces lost from 80 to 120 people killed, and another 1.2 thousand mercenaries were captured.
Cuban emigrants make their way through the undergrowth, 1961.
The problem is that Cuba has outdated equipment, and in the event of an invasion, it will have to rely on the military spirit. Mostly there are old Soviet weapons on the island, there are no new models, Vadim Koroshchupov, a junior researcher at IMEMO RAS, told Izvestia. Obviously, the capabilities of the United States and Cuba are incommensurable. And if the Americans decide to attack, the inhabitants of the island will hardly be able to do anything against it.
According to experts, Havana should be afraid of betrayal in government structures. This, in their opinion, played a key role in the US operation in Caracas. For example, the Venezuelan army, despite its high level of training, did not even engage in combat. According to The Wall Street Journal, the US authorities are already trying to find influential people in the Cuban government to carry out a coup. If such an internal traitor is found, then the preparation of the army will not play any role, Lidovsky is sure.
Who could support the island
However, the devil is not as terrible as he is painted. Russian tourists, for example, are not afraid of invasion from the United States. This was also noticed at the Russian Embassy.
— No one leaves Cuba. Moreover, there is a steady flow of Russian tourists to the island, which remains one of the most popular and attractive holiday destinations for our citizens," said Victor Coronelli.
According to the Cuban State Statistical Office, in 2025, 131.9 thousand travelers from the Russian Federation visited the island, and a total of 1.8 million. Tourism is generally one of the key sectors of the Cuban economy. According to various estimates, this area provides up to 10% of the country's GDP. In addition, it is tourism that is traditionally considered as one of the few sustainable sources of income in the face of American sanctions.
After Maduro's capture, Trump announced that Cuba would no longer receive any oil or money from Venezuela. But Caracas was Havana's main partner. In 2025, Venezuela supplied about 26.5 thousand barrels per day, which provided up to 50% of Cuba's energy needs. But after Trump's statement, not a single oil cargo was sent to the island from Venezuela.
Due to the lack of fuel in Cuba, an energy crisis has begun. Most of the fuel goes to generators. As a result, there are frequent power outages that paralyze public transport, shut down businesses, and prevent medical care from being provided in hospitals. Blackouts are exacerbating the social situation: in 2024, mass protests took place in the country. This is what the United States can bet on: launching a coup d'etat against the background of the rallies.
Cuba could theoretically seek help from partners who are willing to support the island, regardless of U.S. tariffs. First of all, these are a number of BRICS countries — China, Brazil, India and Russia. According to Lidovsky, even regular food supplies can help. Cuba, due to its geographical location, cannot provide for itself to a large extent. If the island is completely cut off from imports, starvation will begin.
Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, said: Moscow will do everything possible to support Havana, which is experiencing a blockade. This attitude was also confirmed by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"As you know, Russia and Cuba have a strategic partnership,— Victor Coronelli added. — This was confirmed by the telephone conversation between the Foreign Ministers of our countries [Sergey] Lavrov and [Bruno] on February 2. Rodriguez, during which the head of the Russian foreign Ministry said that Moscow "is ready to continue to provide Havana with the necessary political and material support."
According to the ambassador, Russia will continue to send oil to Cuba. For example, in February 2025, the Russian Federation supplied 100,000 tons under a state loan approved by Vladimir Putin. The cost of the batch was about $60 million. In addition, the Russian side has commissioned the Boca de Haruco field in Cuba, where production is already underway. In April 2026, the 23rd meeting of the intergovernmental Russian-Cuban commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation will be held in the Russian Federation.
EU support cannot be completely ruled out. Unlike Venezuela, where not everyone agreed with Maduro's leadership, the legitimacy of the Cuban authorities does not raise any particular questions among Europeans. Yegor Lidovskoy added: the countries of the community traded quite actively with Cuba. Considering that the representatives of the Old World do not have the smoothest relations with Trump right now, this may play into the hands of Havana.
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