Bastión 2013 Strategic Exercise

Fidel Rendón Matienzo

IN the midst of updating its economic model, in itself a decisive form of national defense, Cuba has initiated the Bastión 2013 Strategic Exercise, which has become the broadest expression of the concept of people’s war.

The exercise affords training to leadership and command bodies of the Communist Party and government, including central state administration, enterprises, entities and units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior and the population.

The program includes maneuvers and tactical exercises with troops, once again with youth and women in leading roles, fulfilling their duty to defend the homeland.

As Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro affirmed in his Central Report to the 1st Communist Party Congress, "As long as imperialism exists, the Party, the state and the people will give maximum attention to defense forces. The revolutionary guard will never be neglected."

Cuba organized its first Bastión exercise in 1980 and, since then, has enriched and perfected the concept of its military doctrine based on the War of All the People, through which every citizen is guaranteed the means, place and form to fight, under the leadership of the Party, as Granma highlights.

"The level of training within national territory, as the theater of military operations, has significantly increased, the fundamental weaponry is in a protected state, as is a significant part of the military force, leadership bodies and the population," notes the Central Report to the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

The finale of the Bastión 2013 exercise consists of two National Defense Days, November 23-24. (AIN)