The Federation of American Scientists has obtained a copy of an Open Source Center six-page report from late February 2010 on Cuban media coverage of the military, which has been positive. OSC assesses:
President Raul Castro was atypically visible and engaged during a Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) exercise in late 2009, but more commonly he presents himself as a civilian rather than military leader. Current senior military officers maintain a largely ceremonial presence in state media, where the military receives limited but overwhelmingly favorable coverage.
Also, OSC observed:
- Senior defense and military officials maintained a limited and largely ceremonial presence in state media.
- The most visible military leader is FAR Vice Minister and Corps General Leopoldo Cintra Frias.
- Cuban military officials also received prominent coverage during the “Bastion” exercise, but otherwise they generally are only seen attending anniversary celebrations or military ceremonies and graduations.
- More generally, state media portray the military as a model of collective and individual performance, but regularly find fault with civilian agencies and workers.
- Coverage of the military is generally limited and silent on the subject of FAR involvement in the Cuban economy.
To read the rest of the report in its entirety, click here.