Castro’s "State of Terror"

Last week, I received an email from Capital Hill Cubans that raised concern about a government mandate sent to all Cuban workplaces, exhorting violence against dissidents and strict adherence to the paramilitary "Rapid Response Brigades."

This document is the “permission needed”~ pitting Cuban against Cuban~those who wish to speak openly against Castro’s policies against those who believe in Castro’s hard-line revolution. “La patria o muerte.”

The document clearly tells those joining the debate it’s OK to arm themselves “with rustic weapons that are available nearby, in accordance with the location of personnel”, and that "the present Act is undertaken with the objective of constituting a Rapid Response Brigade.”

That’s the very same goon squad reportedly to have attacked The Ladies in White!

Here’s the email below; an English translation of that document, which provides a closer look at the Castro regime's "State of Terror":

PLAN TO DEAL WITH DISRUPTIONS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER AND COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY ACTIONS

I. Objective: To take all necessary measures, directed at repudiating the disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions that could be organized near the Work Unit ("Unit").

II. Brief appraisal of possible disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions:

It's known that counterrevolutionary demonstrations can occur, without taking into account the possibility of actions against them, with the objective of harming or acting against the security of our workers and customers, with the goal of causing uncertainty amongst them and affecting our economy.

III. Missions to repudiate the disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions:

1. Observe without interruption the areas of possible disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions.
2. Determine and maintain the organization of Unit forces with rustic weapons that are available nearby, in accordance with the location of personnel.
3. Repudiate the disruptions and actions that originate.
4. Extinguish fires that may be ignited and provide first aid to anyone injured as a consequence of the confrontations.
5. Keep the command chain of the head organization informed, and also the MININT, about the situation as it develops.

IV. Structure of the Forces:

To accomplish the mission, the workers on-shift will organize, and if the situation requires it, those off-duty will be alerted.

V. Weapons:

Sticks.
Iron bars.
Cables (electrical cords).

ANNEX

1. Plan for the protection and defense of the Unit.
2. Methods for repudiating the disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions, and for the protection of the Unit.
3. Plan for warning the Units.
4. Acts of cooperation.

Appendix I: Plan of methods to repudiate the disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions, and for the protection of the Units.

Number 1:

Type of Demonstration: Disruptions of the public order through arguments.

Actions to be Implemented: Don't let the participants use parts of the Unit to demonstrate. Collect and store in secure places the cash received and the currency fund. Repudiate the disorders and riots together as a Unit. Put out fires and give first aid to the injured. Immediately find the Administrator. Perform complementary actions as necessary. Immediately inform senior organizations.

Performed by: Workers on-shift.

Person in Charge: Administrator.

Date: When they [the disturbances] occur.

Number 2:

Type of Demonstration: Actions or expressions against the Revolution, Party Organizations, or the Government at any level.

Actions to be Implemented: Respond with arguments, convincing strength and energy to such demonstrations, and make it very clear that such things are not permitted in our Units. Immediately find the Administrator. Perform complementary actions as necessary. If necessary, immediately inform the PNR, PCC, OLPP.

Performed by: Workers on-shift.

Person in Charge: Administrator.

Date: When they [the disturbances] occur.

Number 3:

Type of Demonstration: Performance of actions that can be qualified as counterrevolutionary.

Actions to be Implemented: Respond with actions and in ways that are necessary to accomplish the goal of impeding the materialization of these actions at all costs. Immediately inform the PNR, PCC, OLPP. Immediately find the Administrator.

Performed by: Workers on-shift.

Person in Charge: Administrator.

Date: When they [the disturbances] occur.

CONSTITUTIVE ACT FOR THE CREATION OF A UNIT OF THE RAPID RESPONSE BRIGADES (RRB)

At ____o'clock, in the month of ____, on the day of ____, "Year 52 of the Revolution," the present Act is undertaken with the objective of constituting a Rapid Response Brigade.

Disruptions of the public order and counterrevolutionary actions will never be permitted by our working people. The streets belong to the revolutionaries. This declaration against such acts is to be considered retroactive.

We, the people, the directors, civil servants, and workers of this unit declare ourselves in solidarity with the Rapid Response Brigades and will act unconditionally in defense of our Revolution without regard to the sacrifices we must make.

We demonstrate the aforesaid by signing here and understand what from this moment constitutes a pledge to resolutely repudiate whatever counterrevolutionary action or disruption of the public order takes place, wherever it happens, and regardless of its extent.

Key to Acronyms:

MININT - Ministry of the Interior, which "maintains and defends the country's security and internal order."
OLPP – Organos Locales del Poder Popular, Local Organizations of Popular Power, the system of local representatives.
PNR – the Policia Nacional Revolucionaria, the National Revolutionary Police, part of MININT.
PPC – Partido Comunista de Cuba, the Communist Party of Cuba, the only legal party since 1965.

Translation courtesy of Regina Anavy.