Anisleydis Suria, a Cuban mother from Cárdenas, Matanzas, reported on social media that her son was incarcerated this week for refusing to participate in the Military Service. The young man, named Sergio Díaz Suria, was arrested on Monday, August 19, under circumstances not specified by his mother.
"Yesterday, August 19, my heart broke when I was told they had imprisoned you simply for not wanting to be in the Mandatory Military Service. But don't worry, my love, your mother is here to do the impossible for you," the young man's mother assured. "You will get out of there, my dear. We will be together again soon. I love you, my child," she added. Family friends offered words of encouragement in the comments section of her post.
As of the closure of this article, no additional details were available regarding the incident that led to the young man's imprisonment in Matanzas. In recent years, numerous young people have refused to join the Military Service, often leading to tragic outcomes.
Escalating Tragedies in Mandatory Military Service
Tragically, incidents involving adolescents during the Mandatory Military Service are becoming increasingly frequent, although the Cuban government consistently attempts to suppress these occurrences. Numerous social media reports in recent years have highlighted a growing number of deaths among young Cubans related to Military Service, many due to suicide.
In May 2022, thousands of Cubans expressed outrage on social media when a regime diplomat told the United Nations during a session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that military service in Cuba is "voluntary." This statement distorted the content of the National Defense Law, which explicitly states the compulsory nature of service for males.
According to Section Three (Article 77) of this law, "male citizens, during the year they turn sixteen, are required to register with the military." The law also mandates that "once registered, citizens must participate in activities preparing them for Military Service and keep their status updated."
In 2019, Cuban military courts imposed penalties on recruits who self-harm to be discharged from service, a common practice in recent decades that has resulted in many unfortunate incidents.
The mandatory nature of Military Service has been systematically criticized by Cubans, who even promote campaigns on social media to pressure for its elimination. Despite this, recruitment continued unabated even during the coronavirus pandemic, a move that faced severe public criticism.
FAQs about Mandatory Military Service in Cuba
Given the increasing concerns and controversies surrounding Mandatory Military Service in Cuba, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the issue.
Is Military Service mandatory for all Cuban males?
Yes, according to the National Defense Law, all male citizens are required to register for Military Service at the age of sixteen and participate in preparatory activities.
What happens if someone refuses to participate in Military Service?
Refusal to participate in Military Service can lead to imprisonment, as seen in the case of Sergio Díaz Suria and numerous other young Cubans.
Has the Cuban government ever acknowledged these issues?
The Cuban government has consistently denied the compulsory nature of Military Service in international forums, despite the clear mandates in national law.