Doctrine of the War of All the People

The military doctrine that guides the FAR in the execution of its traditional defense-related missions is known as the War of All the People (Guerra de Todo el Pueblo - GTP). This doctrine has been in force since the early 1980s, around the time that the MTT was established. The GTP centers on the key role assigned to the Cuban population in helping defend the island in the event of an attack. Its objective is to deter such an attack by so raising the costs for an invader, in terms of the casualties inflicted, that the action is deemed unacceptable. The doctrine is built around the defense-related duties assigned to the members of the MTT, who would be armed in order to support the regular armed forces. Under this doctrine, the country's entire population has been organized into defense zones, which exist at the local and provincial level and which are presided over by the National Defense Council.

In the event of a crisis, the local defense zones and the militia would be mobilized and their command taken over by the armed forces. In the Cubans' defensive strategy, the regular military is conceived of as only a "professional vanguard" of the mobilized citizenry, and any ensuing struggle would be waged by means of conventional warfare as well as unconventional or guerrilla warfare. The regime's ability to rely on an armed population for the island's defense, at least rhetorically, has helped to compensate slightly for the loss of capabilities, especially in terms of diminished manpower, that the FAR has suffered since the early 1990s.

The National Defense Law defines Cuban military doctrine as the set of ideas and scientifically argued conceptions, adopted by the state on the essence, the objectives, the character, the particular features and the consequences of war; the preparation of the country to wage war successfully and thereby try to avoid it; and the methods for accomplishing and guiding this in order to face military aggression. The United States' proximity and hostile policy shape the concept of struggle of Cuba as a small country with limited economic development, and determine the adoption of an autochthonous Territorial Defensive system, sui generis in this continent.

The Territorial Defense System is the set of political, economic, military, legal, security, internal-order and civil-defense measures and activities that are organized and carried out in peacetime by state agencies and organizations, economic bodies, social institutions and citizens, at the different levels of political administration with the objective of guaranteeing the defense of the country. Extraordinary importance is attached to the high level of patriotism of the population and to the firm belief that they will never make the mistake of lowering their guard and that, even when the territory is partly occupied by the enemy, the country will never be conquered nor will the struggle cease until victory is achieved. The activities undertaken by the defense structures of each territory are also geared to creating the conditions to take action during natural disasters and weather catastrophes and those of other kinds.

The National Defense Council, as set out in the constitution of the Republic of Cuba, is formed and prepares in peacetime to lead the country in conditions of a state of war, during a war, general mobilization or state of emergency. In exceptional situations, it is the highest body of state and political power and it exercises leadership over military training and the armed struggle; internal order and security; foreign policy; economic and social activities; legal activity; civil defense; and political power. The council is made up of the president of the Council of State, who chairs it; the first vice-president of the Council of State, its vice-president; plus five members designated by the Council of State, at the proposal of its president.

There are 14 Provincial, Municipal and Zone Defense Councils. In accordance with article 119 of the constitution, these councils are formed and prepare in peacetime to lead in their respective territories in conditions of a state of war, during a war, general mobilization or state of emergency, based on a general defense plan and on the role and responsibility to be undertaken by the Army Military Council.

In exceptional situations, they are the highest bodies of state and political power at those levels and they immediately take on their powers in their respective territories. They are obliged to immediately take the measures needed to ensure the mobilization of troops and to act in the case of military aggression, natural disasters, other kinds of catastrophes or other circumstances that affect the internal order, the country’s security or the stability of the state in their territory, unless the corresponding exceptional situation is declared in the following 24 hours.

If the Defense Council of the affected territory is isolated from the higher-ranking bodies, it may continue to act until communication is re-established and it receives the relevant instructions. The presidents and other members of the provincial, municipal and zone defense councils are respectively designated by the Defense Council of the higher level. They may also be activated in peacetime with the objective of carrying out training tasks for defense, in accordance with the plan approved by the Army Military Council.

There are 169 Provincial, Municipal and Zone Defense Councils. In accordance with article 119 of the constitution, these councils are formed and prepare in peacetime to lead in their respective territories in conditions of a state of war, during a war, general mobilization or state of emergency, based on a general defense plan and on the role and responsibility to be undertaken by the Army Military Council.

In exceptional situations, they are the highest bodies of state and political power at those levels and they immediately take on their powers in their respective territories. They are obliged to immediately take the measures needed to ensure the mobilization of troops and to act in the case of military aggression, natural disasters, other kinds of catastrophes or other circumstances that affect the internal order, the country’s security or the stability of the state in their territory, unless the corresponding exceptional situation is declared in the following 24 hours.

If the Defense Council of the affected territory is isolated from the higher-ranking bodies, it may continue to act until communication is re-established and it receives the relevant instructions. The presidents and other members of the provincial, municipal and zone defense councils are respectively designated by the Defense Council of the higher level. They may also be activated in peacetime with the objective of carrying out training tasks for defense, in accordance with the plan approved by the Army Military Council.

There are more than 1,400 Provincial, Municipal and Zone Defense Councils. In accordance with article 119 of the constitution, these councils are formed and prepare in peacetime to lead in their respective territories in conditions of a state of war, during a war, general mobilization or state of emergency, based on a general defense plan and on the role and responsibility to be undertaken by the Army Military Council.

In exceptional situations, they are the highest bodies of state and political power at those levels and they immediately take on their powers in their respective territories. They are obliged to immediately take the measures needed to ensure the mobilization of troops and to act in the case of military aggression, natural disasters, other kinds of catastrophes or other circumstances that affect the internal order, the country’s security or the stability of the state in their territory, unless the corresponding exceptional situation is declared in the following 24 hours.

If the Defense Council of the affected territory is isolated from the higher-ranking bodies, it may continue to act until communication is re-established and it receives the relevant instructions. The presidents and other members of the provincial, municipal and zone defense councils are respectively designated by the Defense Council of the higher level. They may also be activated in peacetime with the objective of carrying out training tasks for defense, in accordance with the plan approved by the Army Military Council.