Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the National Defense Council, visited the Carmelo Defense Zone on Friday in the central Havana neighborhood of Vedado, located in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, to assess preparations and territorial organization in the event of an emergency.
According to a report from the Presidency, at the Defense Zone’s headquarters, located in the Office of Historical Affairs, Díaz-Canel stated that the Defense Zone must be the Party and Government of each community, both in times of peace and war, and expressed that the complex context in Cuba warrants it.
During discussions with local authorities, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba emphasized the need to move beyond theoretical plans and work practically with the community.
Díaz-Canel stressed the importance of conducting regular tactical exercises, taking advantage of National Defense Day, and explained that these should include provisions for vulnerable groups and ensure that citizens are familiar with the location of shelters to guarantee a smooth evacuation.
According to the Presidency, another key focus of the dialogue was the necessary integration of all entities, both state and non-state, into defense plans and the resolution of local problems.
Díaz-Canel noted that with the recently approved economic and social reforms, the Defense Councils must implement changes without waiting for further directives.
He indicated that it is necessary to engage with all economic actors to determine how to organize and implement them, developing strong, coordinated, and coherent local production systems.
The Cuban president also emphasized the potential of businesses to contribute in times of peace and war, thanks to the newly approved facilities.
Regarding food production, the head of state stressed the importance of utilizing every available square meter of land, even in urban areas.
And the Cuban leader advocated for the creation of a network of observation points in each district to ensure communication and guidance for the population.
Accompanied by members of the Political Bureau, the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera, and Major General José Amado Ricardo Guerra, Secretary of the Council of Ministers, Díaz-Canel considered the experience positive and reaffirmed the need to maintain defense preparedness as a deterrent against any potential aggression.
Jorge Luis Aneiros Alonso, president of the Carmelo Defense Zone, home to some 19,000 people, detailed the work being done there, emphasizing the certification of shelters, particularly the use of basements, semi-basements, and certain tunnels.
He highlighted the importance of communication efforts with the population and the identification of people who live alone or with disabilities. Regarding collaboration with the non-state sector, he mentioned the opportunities created by the new reforms approved this Thursday by the National Assembly of People’s Power.
The visit included a tour of the facilities of the Office of Historical Affairs, founded by Fidel Castro and Celia Sánchez on May 4, 1962, which preserves the documentary heritage of the guerrilla struggle.
IMAGE CREDIT: ACN | Photo: Estudios Revolución
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
