In the News - 2005


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TOP RUSSIAN AND CUBAN MILITARY HUDDLE IN HAVANA
Army General Raul Castro greets Army Gen Yuri Baluyevsky (Chief, General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defense . [Photo: Granma]

20051230 — Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro has met in Havana with Russia's second-ranking military officer, official media said on Thursday, in a throwback to the Cold War when Cuba was armed and financed by the Soviet Union. The chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, Army Gen Yuri Baluyevsky, arrived on Monday for a two-week visit. Baluyevsky's delegation is the highest-ranking to visit Cuba since 1998. The trip comes amid an increase in Cuban defense spending and concerns over the U.S. military posture after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The entire front page of the Communist party daily, Granma, was taken up with a photo of Wednesday's meeting and commentary describing the encounter as one between old friends. "The conversation between the two military leaders was cordial and friendly, with both recognizing the historic ties between their two countries," Granma said. Baluyevsky is touring military units and installations equipped with vintage Soviet hardware and was expected to vacation on the island as well. The Cuban economy has been recovering from a more than decade-long crisis during which the military budget was cut by at least 50 percent, according to the government. But defense spending has steadily risen since 2003, as always-tense relations between the Communist nation and the United States deteriorated further. Cuba has expressed alarm over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and President George W. Bush's doctrine of preventive strikes. Diplomats said Russia had been supplying some spare parts, and little else, to the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, but that could change if Cuba re-entered the arms market in earnest. Russia recently sold 100,000 AK-47 automatic rifles and other equipment to Venezuela, Cuba's closest ally. Top Chinese military officials also visited Cuba this year. "I feel that we are duty-bound to maintain friendly relations with Cuba and not to abandon it at a difficult time for this country," Baluyevsky told the Russian news agency Itar-Tass on Monday. "Contacts in the military field will be given new meaning." Source: Reuters

 

 

 

 

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COMMUNIST CUBA'S MILITARY MARKS 49 YEARS
Cuban military officers, whom hold the island's political future in their hands, attend Fidel Castro's speech during an evening ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Cuba's military mission in Angola Friday, December 2, 2005 in Havana, Cuba. [Photo: AP]

20051203 —  Communist Cuba's military marked 49 years Friday, celebrating military successes during the Cold War before assuming a newer mission to bolster the island's post-Soviet economy. President Fidel Castro joined veterans of the Cuban Revolution and wars in Africa at an evening ceremony that also marked the 30th anniversary of Cuba's military mission in Angola. "For Cubans, the revolutionary victory in 1959 did not signify an end to armed combat," Castro said. "Many compatriots had to march to other lands to fulfill their sacred internationalist duty." The 79-year-old Castro said the men and women who fought battles and provided medical and other assistance in African countries through the 1970s and 1980s wrote "a glorious page in history" that should be copied by future generations of Cubans. The Revolutionary Armed Forces, which replaced the military that existed before the Cuban Revolution, traces its roots to Dec. 2, 1956, when 82 rebels landed on the island on a yacht, the Granma, that sailed from Mexico. Castro and his brother Raul, now the country's defense minister, were among less than two dozen rebels who survived to reach the mountains, where they launched a guerrilla war against then-President Fulgencio Batista. The two Castros rarely appear together for apparent security reasons and Raul, the designated successor to his brother, did not attend. Source: AP

 

 

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DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS SENIOR CHINESE MILITARY OFFICIAL
Colonel General Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Committee and chief of staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army meets with Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro and Lt. General Alvaro Lopez Miera, deputy minister chief of staff of the FAR. [Photo: Granma]

20051104 —  Cuban leader Fidel Castro met with Liang Guanglie, chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), here Friday on bilateral ties and relations between the two armed forces. Castro said the Cuban armed forces attaches great importance to developing relations with the Chinese side, and hoped that the two sides will enhance exchanges and cooperation in the future. Liang, who is also member of China's Central Military Commission, said he was pleased to see the achievements Cuba has made under the leadership of Castro. Liang said he had reached broad consensus with Cuba's top military leaders and the PLA is confident of forging friendly and cooperative ties with Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces. Liang arrived here Friday for a three-day visit. He also met with Raul Castro Ruz, vice-president of the Council of State and minister of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces, on Friday. Source: Xinhua

EASTERN CUBA POLISHES MILITARY DEFENSE

20051102 —  Moncada 2005, a military drill to test the defensive system of Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountain range, concluded successfully in the eastern Cuban province of Guantanamo. Moncada 2005 trained chiefs, military officers and troops, following the concept of war by the entire people and strengthening the defensive preparation of Cubans. Combatants from a mountain infantry unit participated in the exercise together with the Territorial Troops Militias, the Production and Defense Brigades and other forces, Granma newspaper reported. Each year, tens of thousands soldiers and millions of citizens have participated in several military drills. This exercise was held in the eastern Cuban municipalities of Guantanamo, El Salvador, Yateras, Caimanera and Niceto Perez. Source: PL

 

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A FUNDAMENTAL LINK IN THE PREPARATION OF TROOPS
Sergeant instructors stand at attention awaiting review. [Photo: Granma]

20050903 —  The twentieth anniversary of the José Luis Tasende National Sergeant Instructors School (ENSI) of the Revolutionary Armed Forces—FAR was commemorated in a political-cultural and military ceremony which took place in the FAR General Antonio Maceo Interarms School in Caimito, Havana. Sergeant instructors, in a seven-month course, at the platoon level are a fundamental link in the chain of command and linkage with troops. There have been 6,000 instructors in a twenty-year time span, whom have contributed to the preparation and discipline of troops in diverse military units. Lt. General Álvaro López Miera (Vice-minister and chief of the FAR General Staff), other generals and officials presided over the ceremony. Source: Granma

 

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FRATERNAL MILITARY EXCHANGE
An M-17 (in flight) and M-35 helicopters participate in demonstration exercises. [Photo: Granma]

20050811 —  Maneuvers of a MIG-29 (in full flight) as well as M-17 and M-35 helicopters were evaluated yesterday by officials from the 35th General Staff and Command Course of the Venezuelan Air War Superior School in a demonstration exercise developed by the Cuban Aviation Brigade of the Playa Girón Guard. Venezuelan military officials were hosted by Lt. Álvaro López Miera (Vice-minister and chief of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces General Staff) together with Brigadier General Pedro Mendiondo Gómez (Chief, Anti-Air Defense and Revolutionary Air Force—DAAFAR). The tour took place in areas and installations of the unit, which permitted Venezuelan military officials, headed by Major General Roger R. Cordero Lara (General Commander of the Venezuela Air Force), to receive information among other aspects about the role carried out by that brigade. Source: Granma

 

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DEFENSE MINISTER PRESIDES OVER
CENTRAL ARMY'S MILITARY COUNCIL
Defense Minister and Army General Raul Castro [forth from right] listens to Lt. General Álvaro López Miera discuss accomplishments during a work session of the military council. The Central Army's territorial command extends from the province of Matanzas to Ciego de Avila province. [Photo: Juventud Rebelde]

20050811 —  Army General Raúl Castro attended a work session of the Central Army's Military Council which took place in the city of Santa Clara earlier this week. Discussions were held about the positive results obtained in combat preparation of troops (active and reserve) and Territorial Troop Militias (Milicias de Tropas Territoriales—MTT). In attendance were Lt. General Joaquín Quinta Solá (Chief, Central Army), Lt. General Álvaro López Miera (Vice-minister, General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces—FAR), first secretaries of the five central provinces, as well as territorial leaders, and chiefs and officials of the FAR and Interior Ministry. Source: Juventud Rebelde

 

 

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WHAT’S BEHIND CUBA’S MILITARY MANUEVERS?
Cuban MIGs simulate enemy fighters, while a BTR armored personnel carrier with a mortar on top targets planes. [Photo: Granma]

20050726 —  Last week Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias-FAR) abruptly staged military maneuvers for three consecutive days in honor of the 52nd anniversary of the attacks against the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Garrisons, on July 26, 1953. These tactical maneuvers1 were deployed in diverse territories of Havana province with the participation of the Gran Unidad de Tanques Rescate de Sanguily, Orden Antonio Maceo (Grand Rescue Tank Unit of Sanguily, Antonio Maceo Order), supported by an assembly of tanks, reinforced with ground artillery, anti-air defense, exploration, engineering, communications, and special forces units along with airplanes and helicopters...However, are these maneuvers merely a drill to commemorate an anniversary, or in fact a precursor for a possible conflict with emboldened dissident protestors in the streets of Havana reminiscent of China's Tiananmen Square? <FULL ARTICLE> <ESPAÑOL>

 

 

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CUBAN MILITARY DRILLS UNITS AND COMMANDS
As a result of last week's civil demonstrations by dissidents commemorating the deaths of 41 Cubans who were killed in 1994 when government patrol boats sprayed water hoses and rammed their stolen tugboat as they tried to flee the island, has Fidel Castro's High Command Reserve (Reserva del Alto Mando—RAM) been mobilized to quash a possible explosion of civil disturbances similar to the August 1994 Maleconazo? [A T-62 Main Battle Tank (MBT) deployed last year during Bastion exercises.—Photo: Granma]

20050719 —  The Cuban province of Havana is staging a military defense maneuver honoring the 52nd anniversary of the attacks against the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Garrisons, on July 26, 1953. Granma daily informed today the exercise is part of drills units and commands of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) have been holding since June. The maneuver in different territories of Havana province involves armored squads reinforced with land and antiaircraft artillery, special troops, fighters, helicopters and more. Units from the Territorial Troop Militias, Production and Defense Brigades, and several Councils for Community Defense are also participating in the exercises, as part of the Cuban strategy based on the war of the whole people. Increasing military chiefs´ skills in the organization and execution of armed actions, troop command, and facing enemy disembarkation are the main goals of the drills, the source added. Source: Prensa Latina

 

 

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COMMANDER IN CHIEF RECEIVES
VENEZUELAN MILITARY DELEGATION
Castro talks to Venezuela's military delegation. [Photo: Granma]

20050616 —  Fidel Castro (Commander in Chief, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba—FAR) welcomed at the Palace of the Revolution Wednesday night a delegation from the Venezuela National Defense Military Academy (INADEN) that is wrapping up today a five day visit. Led by Brigadier General Rafael Eduardo Arreaza, the Venezuelan representatives arrived in Havana last Sunday to exchange experiences, learn about the Cuban system of defense and discuss economic and social topics of interest to both nations.. On completion of their master´s degrees at the Institute, Venezuelan military officers traditionally visit similar academies in the region to share experiences. This year, after Cuba, the delegation will visit Brazil. Source: Prensa Latina

 

 

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CHINESE AND CUBAN MILITARIES STRENGTHEN TIES
Chinese military delegation is received by Brigadier General Jose Carrillo Gomez at the 'Rescate de Sanguily' Grand Tank Unit which is part of the High Command Reserve (Reserva del Alto Mando-RAM) forming a protective ring around the regime in Havana. [Photo: Granma]

20050604 —  Lt. General Alvaro Lopez Miera (vice-minister, chief of the FAR General Staff) held official conversations with Lt. General Liu Yongzhi (second chief of the General Political Department of the Chinese People´s Liberation Army). In a friendly exchange, the high-ranking military officials shared experiences about the political-ideological and party roles in the preparation of both militaries. Ten Chinese military delegations visited Cuba in 2004. Source: Granma

 

 

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CHINESE MILITARY DELEGATION VISITS CUBA

20050602 —  Lt. General Liu Yongzhi, second chief of the General Political Department of the Chinese People´s Liberation Army, will arrive in Havana Thursday afternoon on an official visit to Cuba. Yongzhi and his accompanying top-level delegation will hold talks with main Cuban armed forces chiefs, visit military institutions and sites of economic, historic and cultural interest. A brief note from Cuba´s Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) published on Granma daily states the Chinese officers will stay on the island until Sunday. Source: Prensa Latina

CHINESE MILITARY GOOD-WILL DELEGATION VISITS CUBA & MEXICO

20050602 —  At the invitation of the Ministry of Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Defense Ministry of Mexico, Lieutenant General Liu Yongzhi, deputy director of the PLA General Political Department, and a good-will military delegation led by him, left Beijing on May 30th for a goodwill visit to the above-mentioned two countries. The principal members of the delegation include Lieutenant General Zheng Shouzeng, deputy chief of staff of the Lanzhou Military Area Command, Major General Jiang Yanji, deputy political commissar of the air force of the Beijing Military Area Command, Major General Zhang Jinrong, political commissar of the Anhui Provincial Military Command and Major General Jiang Qianlin, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the PLA General Political Department. Source: PLA Daily

 

 

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JO MYONG ROK MEETS CUBAN MILITARY DELEGATION
KPA Vice Mashal Jo Myong Rok and FAR Lt. General Leonardo Andollo Valdes.

20050516 —  (Pyongyang) Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Jo Myong Rok, first vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and director of the General Political Department of the KPA, Friday met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba led by Lieut. General Leonardo Andouo Valdes, vice-chief of the General Staff and director of the Operations Department of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The head of the Cuban delegation said that the friendly ies between Cuba and the DPRK which have struggled against the U.S. imperialist gangster-like arbitrary practices are growing stronger and their vitality has been strikingly demonstrated. During our stay we have seen for ourselves the Korean army and people waging a vigorous struggle to defend the sovereignty and system of their country, united single-mindedly around leader Kim Jong Il, he added. Noting that only when the revolutionary principle is dhered to in the showdown with the U.S. imperialists, is it possible to win victory in it, he said that the Cuban party, government, army and people fully support the Korean army and people in their struggle. On hand were General Ri Myong Su, Col. General Pak Sung Won and other general officers and officers of the KPA and Ambassador Ruben Perez Valdes and Military Attache Giraldo Abreu Morales of the Cuban embassy here. Source: KCNA

 

DEFENSE MINISTER PRESIDES OVER MILITARY EXERCISES
FAR General Raul Castro watches over the commencement of military exercises. [Photo: Granma]

20050516 —  Cuba carried out military exercises in the western region on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, as part of troops´ regular training, according to a press release from the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The communiqué says that for that reason, troops will be deployed in the region and explosions will be heard in some areas in the provinces of Havana and the City of Havana. Cuba, which has a defensive concept based on the war of the entire people, regularly reviews its strategy to defend the country. Within that context, the entire country was involved from December 13-19 in the military maneuvers Bastion 2004. Source: Prensa Latina

 

 

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TALKS BETWEEN DPRK AND CUBAN ARMIES HELD
KPA General Ri Myong Su and FAR Lt. General Leonardo Andollo Valdes.

20050505 —  (Pyongyang) Talks between the delegations of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba were held here Wednesday. At the talks both delegations exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly relations between the armies of the two countries forged in the anti-imperialist common struggle and issues of mutual concern. Present there from the KPA side were General Ri Myong Su and other general officers and officers of the KPA and from the Cuban side the members of the delegation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces headed by Lieut. General Leonardo Andouo Valdes, vice-chief of its General Staff and director of the Operations Department. The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere. Source: KCNA

 

CHINA, IRAN AND CUBA AND ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT
An ultralight aircraft in flight.

20050502 —  China, Iran and Cuba are taking a very serious interest in the security and military uses of ultralight aircraft. These are essentially single seat powered flying machines weighing about 250 pounds, or less. They rarely move faster than a hundred kilometers an hour, but can stay up for several hours and reach altitudes of 5,000 feet or more. These aircraft evolved in the 1970s, out of attempts to equip hang gliders with engines. China displayed a number of ultralights at the annual Zuhai Air Show, and has incorporated them into some military exercises. Cuba and Iran seem to be a little behind China, but still in advance of the rest of the world when it comes to using ultra lights for things like reconnaissance and surveillance. Both countries apparently being interested in their use for border and coastal security. All three countries seem to have also been conducting experiments in the use of ultralights as strike aircraft or for commando operations. This is a particular matter of concern given that terrorist groups like Hizbollah, already known to be operating UAVs, have been experimenting with them as well. Source: Strategy Page

 

 

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EASTERN ARMY CELEBRATES 44th ANNIVERSARY
Soldiers of the Eastern Army march to commemorate a 44th anniversary.

20050426 —  Puerto Padre, Cuba — Practiced demonstrations in modern combat techniques were made in a military ceremony commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Eastern Army's foundation in the Study Regiment of this municipality of Las Tunas province. The political act counted with the presence of members of the Politburo, Army Corps General (Lt. General) Ramón Espinosa Martín; Misael Enamorado Dáger y Miguel Díaz-Canell Bermúdez, Party First Secretaries of Santiago de Cuba and Holguín provinces, respectively. Source: Granma

 

 

 

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SENIOR CHINESE MILITARY OFFICIAL MEETS CUBAN MILITARY CHIEF
World's longest serving defense minister Raul Castro and vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou

20050418 —  Xu Caihou, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met here Monday with Raul Castro Ruz, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba. Xu said China and Cuba had maintained frequent high-level military exchanges for a long period and had conducted effective cooperation in personnel training. Raul Castro's visit would certainly inject "new vigor" to the relationship between the two armed forces, added Xu. Praising China for its stable society and booming economy, Raul Castro, also second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, said Cuba hoped to boost cooperation with China in all spheres, and described Cuba's relationship with China as "friendship between comrades". Xu, also a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said China and Cuba, both socialist countries led by the communist parties, had followed socialist paths with characteristics of their own. The two sides, both faced with challenges of developing economy and improving people's living standards, had supported each other in building their countries and armed forces, and would continue to do so in the future, Xu said. Raul Castro arrived in Beijing Sunday on an official visit to China. It is his second visit to China since 1997. He also serves as first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. Source: Xinhuanet

China: Ready, steady, go ...
By Timothy Hu
Janes Defense Weekly Special Correspondent

An emerging consensus among long-time PLA observers, including within the US intelligence community, is that the Chinese military has successfully achieved a far-reaching qualitative advancement in its warfighting capabilities since the beginning of this decade. The PLA is quickly becoming an increasingly credible threat against Taiwan and could even begin to pose a challenge to US military preponderance in East Asia in the next decade if the momentum is sustained.

 

 

 

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IRON FIST OF THE FAR
Tankers maintain permanent preparation. [Photo: Granma]

20050416 —  The Grand Rescue of Sanguily Tank Unit celebrates its 40th anniversary. Exercises and tactical maneuvers are realized in the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), constituting a superior form of instruction by chiefs of the General Staff, and troops for the organization, direction and realization of contemparary combat. The effectiveness of these exercises were manifested with the positive results of the prior Bastión 2004. Source: Granma

 

 

 

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CENTRAL ARMY BEGINS 'DEFENSE PREPARATION YEAR'
Young recruits housed in barracks.
Central Army troops participate in a military review.. {Photo: Granma]

20050131 —  The Central Army's Defense Preparation Year for 2005 began with a military review and a political-cultural ceremony in Santa Clara, Las Villas. The ceremony was presided by members of the Politburo, Lt. General Joaquín Quintas Solá (Chief, Central Army) and other provincial government officials. Cuba's Eastern Army oversees the geographic zones of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, Las Tunas y Camagüey. Source: Granma

 

 

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EASTERN ARMY BEGINS 'DEFENSE PREPARATION YEAR'
Cuban military and government officials participating in a political-cultural event. {Photo: Granma]

20050131 —  Defense Preparation Year for 2005 began with a military review and a political-cultural ceremony commemorating the 160th anniversary of Lt. General Antonio Maceo y Grajales' birth. The ceremony was presided by members of the Politburo, Lt. General Ramón Espinosa Martín (Chief, Eastern Command/Eastern Army) and other provincial government officials. Cuba's Eastern Army oversees the geographic zones of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, Las Tunas y Camagüey. Source: Granma


 

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DEFENSE MINISTRY CALLS FOR MILITARY SERVICE INSCRIPTION

Young recruits housed in barracks.Young recruits housed in barracks.

20050103 —  The Defense Ministry (Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias-MINFAR) has summoned all young males born in the year 1989 to formalize their inscription to the Military Registry between the months of January and March. Inscription to the registry is the first step towards active military service for young recruits. Decree-Lay No. 224 "Of Military Service" of the Council of Ministers stipulates that: "All Cuban citizens of the male gender are obligated to complete Military Service in the form and terms of the National Defense Law." In Article 67 of the National Defense Law, No. 75, "Citizens of the male gender, from the first of January in the year they reach sixteen years of age until the thirty-first of December in the year they reach twenty-eight years of age, they are obliged to complete two years of military service. Source: Granma; Gaceta de Cuba; Ley de Defensa Nacional

 





 

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