Cuba has unveiled a “family guide” on provincial websites aimed at assisting citizens in the event of “potential enemy attacks,” amid heightened tensions stemming from U.S. pressure and significant energy shortages. This announcement, which has not received coverage from national state media, follows a notable visit by the head of the CIA to the island, marking a rare instance of direct contact between U.S. and Cuban officials.
The document, entitled “Protect, Resist, Survive, and Win,” is intended to offer citizens strategies for safeguarding their lives in the event of potential aggressions. The Havana province’s website provided a statement regarding the guide, suggesting its urgency in the current socio-political climate.
In a further outreach, a radio station in the central province of Santi Spiritus shared the guide, allowing residents to download the information for personal use. The guide includes a series of recommendations, notably encouraging families to prepare emergency kits stocked with essential supplies such as drinking water, non-perishable food items, medications, and hygiene products. It also advises the populace to remain vigilant for air raid warnings and to familiarize themselves with first aid practices.
The context surrounding this release is critical, especially following the recent visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who met with Cuban authorities amidst ongoing power outages exacerbated by a fuel blockade imposed during the Trump administration. As a result of this blockade, which has significantly impacted the island’s energy supply, Cubans have been facing an unprecedented socio-economic crisis, struggling to access basic necessities.
Compounding these challenges, the Cuban government reported this week that the country has exhausted its reserves of diesel and fuel oil, leading to lengthy power failures across the island. These conditions have sparked rare public protests in several neighborhoods in Havana, highlighting the growing discontent among the population over their dire living conditions. With the island’s 9.6 million residents increasingly affected by shortages, the government’s latest measures appear to be an effort to prepare citizens for a potentially volatile future.
