Cuba - Revision history

Admin1: /* Republic of Cuba */

2025-12-27T21:46:39Z

Republic of Cuba

Admin1: /* Republic of Cuba */

2025-12-27T21:38:05Z

Republic of Cuba

Admin1 at 16:34, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T16:34:23Z

Admin1: /* Cuban Camouflage Patterns */

2025-12-26T16:08:05Z

Cuban Camouflage Patterns

Admin1 at 05:56, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T05:56:15Z

Admin1: /* Cuban Camouflage Patterns */

2025-12-26T02:05:49Z

Cuban Camouflage Patterns

Admin1: /* Cuban Camouflage Patterns */

2025-12-26T02:03:32Z

Cuban Camouflage Patterns

Admin1: /* Other Camouflage Patterns Worn in Cuba */

2025-12-26T00:09:59Z

Other Camouflage Patterns Worn in Cuba

Admin1 at 17:47, 18 March 2023

2023-03-18T17:47:43Z

Admin1 at 17:43, 18 March 2023

2023-03-18T17:43:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:46, 27 December 2025
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	In keeping with the Soviet tradition, Cuba also has a Ministry of the Interior ''(Ministerio del Interior)'' or MININT that includes a number of police and paramilitary units. These include the National Revolutionary Police Force, Directorate of Border Guard Troops, Directorate of Intelligence, and the Special National Brigade ''(Brigada Especial Nacional),'' also known as the ''Boinas Negras'' or Black Berets.		In keeping with the Soviet tradition, Cuba also has a Ministry of the Interior ''(Ministerio del Interior)'' or MININT that includes a number of police and paramilitary units. These include the National Revolutionary Police Force, Directorate of Border Guard Troops, Directorate of Intelligence, and the Special National Brigade ''(Brigada Especial Nacional),'' also known as the ''Boinas Negras'' or Black Berets.
		+
		+	As part of its dedication to the international socialist cause, Cuba has historically supported Marxist-Leninist inspired "liberation movements" around the world, sending military advisors and war materiel to many countries from the 1960s to the late 1980s. These included assisting [[Ethiopia]] in 1978, [[Nicaragua]], [[El Salvador]], the [[Afghanistan\|Democratic Republic of Afghanistan]] and - most notably - [[Angola]], to which more than 300,000 Cuban military personnel were sent to support the MPLA and the Angolan government (from 1975 onwards).

	The standard operational uniform of the Cuban Armed Forces has been olive green for many decades, but special units have been issued with camouflage uniforms from the 1970s onwards. These include special forces, border troops at Guantanamo Bay, and the several thousand Cuban military personnel that have served as advisors in southern Africa.		The standard operational uniform of the Cuban Armed Forces has been olive green for many decades, but special units have been issued with camouflage uniforms from the 1970s onwards. These include special forces, border troops at Guantanamo Bay, and the several thousand Cuban military personnel that have served as advisors in southern Africa.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 27 December 2025
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	The modern Republic of Cuba ''(República de Cuba)'' came into existence following the Cuban Revolution (1953-1959), in which armed revolutionaries under Fidel Castro (the 26th of July Movement) successfully overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista. Displeased with the socialist leanings of the new government, the [[USA\|United States]] trained and supported a military force of Cuban exiles to lead an assault on the fledgling Cuban Army. This operation, the Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 17-19 1961) was a complete failure and did nothing to destabilize Castro's control over the island nation. By 1963 the new government was moving towards a Communist system based on that of the [[USSR]], with whom the nation would have strong ties for many decades.		The modern Republic of Cuba ''(República de Cuba)'' came into existence following the Cuban Revolution (1953-1959), in which armed revolutionaries under Fidel Castro (the 26th of July Movement) successfully overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista. Displeased with the socialist leanings of the new government, the [[USA\|United States]] trained and supported a military force of Cuban exiles to lead an assault on the fledgling Cuban Army. This operation, the Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 17-19 1961) was a complete failure and did nothing to destabilize Castro's control over the island nation. By 1963 the new government was moving towards a Communist system based on that of the [[USSR]], with whom the nation would have strong ties for many decades.
		+
		+	The ''Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias'' (FAR) or Revolutionary Armed Forces, are the combined military forces of Cuba, and consist of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and several paramilitary entities. The latter include the ''Milicias de Tropas Territoriales'' (Territorial Troops Militia), ''Ejército Juvenil del Trabajo '' (Youth Labor Army), ''Brigadas de Producción y Defensa'' (Defense Production Brigades), ''Defensa Civil de Cuba'' (Civil Defense), and the ''Instituto Nacional de las Reservas Estatales'' (National Reserves Institution). The FAR have been historically modeled on the old [[USSR\|Soviet military model]], although since the collapse of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact the country has significantly bolstered its own military autonomy.
		+
		+	In keeping with the Soviet tradition, Cuba also has a Ministry of the Interior ''(Ministerio del Interior)'' or MININT that includes a number of police and paramilitary units. These include the National Revolutionary Police Force, Directorate of Border Guard Troops, Directorate of Intelligence, and the Special National Brigade ''(Brigada Especial Nacional),'' also known as the ''Boinas Negras'' or Black Berets.

	The standard operational uniform of the Cuban Armed Forces has been olive green for many decades, but special units have been issued with camouflage uniforms from the 1970s onwards. These include special forces, border troops at Guantanamo Bay, and the several thousand Cuban military personnel that have served as advisors in southern Africa.		The standard operational uniform of the Cuban Armed Forces has been olive green for many decades, but special units have been issued with camouflage uniforms from the 1970s onwards. These include special forces, border troops at Guantanamo Bay, and the several thousand Cuban military personnel that have served as advisors in southern Africa.

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 [[File:cuba-amoeba.png|200px]]
-* Another camouflage pattern worn by the ''Tropas Especiales'' of the FAR is this "vertical [[brushstroke]]" pattern, consisting of reddish brown and dark green vertical stripes on a light green background. This design appears to have been relatively short-lived as compared to the amoeba pattern.
+* Another camouflage pattern worn by the ''Tropas Especiales'' of the FAR is this "vertical [[brushstroke]]" pattern, consisting of reddish brown and dark green vertical stripes on a light green background. This design appears to have been relatively short-lived as compared to the amoeba pattern. Most of the photographs illustrating this uniform being worn date to around 2010.
 [[File:cuba6.jpg|200px]]

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 [[File:cuba-spot.jpg|200px]]
-* Another early Cuban-designed camouflage design is the so-called "elm leaf" pattern. This is an overprint design of black (quickly fading to a shade of dark blue) and brown shadows on a green background, creating elm leaf shapes. Introduced as early as the late 1960s and worn into the 1980s, the pattern appears to have been limited to the ''Tropas Especiales'' (Special Troops) of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior.
+* Another early Cuban-designed camouflage design is the "elm leaf" pattern. This is an overprint design of black (quickly fading to a shade of dark blue) and brown shadows on a green background, creating elm leaf shapes. Introduced as early as the late 1960s and worn into the 1980s, the pattern appears to have been limited to the ''Tropas Especiales'' (Special Troops) of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, although it did also see use in [[Angola]] by Cuban advisors.
 [[File:cuba1.jpg|200px]]
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 [[File:cuba-elm.png|200px]]
-* Emerging in the 1970s and based on the French ''tenue du leopard'' camouflage design, the Cuban grey [[lizard]] pattern has remained in service into the present day. Consisting of dark grey & golden brown or brown stripes on medium grey background, the design is best known for its use by Cuban advisors to southern Africa. It is also worn by the Guantanamo Bay Border Guards. This design has also been worn by FAPLA and contemporary forces in [[Angola]]. Several manufacturers are known, resulting in a significant number of variations being produced over the years.
+* Emerging in the 1970s and based on the French ''tenue du leopard'' camouflage design, the Cuban grey [[lizard]] pattern has remained in service into the present era. Consisting of dark grey & golden brown or brown stripes on medium grey background, the design is best known for its use by Cuban advisors to southern Africa; however it was also worn by the ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Army during its early incarnation, and by the Guantanamo Bay Border Guards in more recent years. Additionally, this design was worn by FAPLA and contemporary forces in [[Angola]]. Several manufacturers are known, resulting in a significant number of variations being produced over the years, although originally these were made in Cuba.
 [[File:cuba2.jpg|200px]]
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 [[File:cuba-lizard.png|200px]]
-* Another camouflage design unique to the ''Tropas Especiales'' (in use from approximately 1980 to 1988) was this [[woodland]]-type pattern. Due to the period of documented use, it is possible this pattern was actually a copied and enlarged version of the US ERDL camouflage design.
+* Another camouflage design unique to the ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Army (in use from approximately 1980 to 1988) was this [[woodland]]-type pattern. Considering the period of documented use, it is possible this pattern was actually a copied and enlarged version of the US ERDL camouflage design.
 [[File:cuba7.jpg|200px]]
-* The ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Cuban Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR) or Revolutionary Armed Forces have worn a three-color "amoeba" pattern consisting of dark green and reddish brown amoeba shapes on moss green base. The design seems to have been introduced in the 1990s and continues to be worn into the present.
+* The ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Cuban Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR) have worn a three-color "amoeba" pattern consisting of dark green and reddish brown shapes on moss green background. The design seems to have been introduced in the 1990s and continues to be worn into the present era, although in 2025 it is being phased out by a contemporary [[digital patterns|pixelated]] pattern.
 [[File:cuba5.jpg|200px]]
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 [[File:cuba-amoeba.png|200px]]
-* Another current issue pattern is the "vertical [[brushstroke]]" pattern, consisting of reddish brown and dark green vertical stripes on a light green background. The pattern is also worn by ''Tropas Especiales'' of the FAR, but may be issued to other personnel as well.
+* Another camouflage pattern worn by the ''Tropas Especiales'' of the FAR is this "vertical [[brushstroke]]" pattern, consisting of reddish brown and dark green vertical stripes on a light green background. This design appears to have been relatively short-lived as compared to the amoeba pattern.
 [[File:cuba6.jpg|200px]]
 * At some point in 2022, the ''Brigada Móvil de Tropas Especiales'' (Mobile Brigade of Special Troops), also known as the ''Avispas Negras'' or "Black Wasps" adopted a new, pixelated camouflage pattern for its troops. Sourced in China, the four color pattern consists of two shades of green, brown, and tan and appears to be loosely based on the Chinese Type 07 "woodland camouflage."

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 [[File:cuba7.jpg|200px]]
-* The ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Cuban Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR) or Revolutionary Armed Forces wear a three-color "amoeba" pattern consisting of dark green and reddish brown amoeba shapes on moss green base. The design seems to have been introduced in the 1990s and continues to be worn into the present.
+* The ''Tropas Especiales'' of the Cuban Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR) or Revolutionary Armed Forces have worn a three-color "amoeba" pattern consisting of dark green and reddish brown amoeba shapes on moss green base. The design seems to have been introduced in the 1990s and continues to be worn into the present.
 [[File:cuba5.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:cuba9.jpg|200px]]
 * Another current issue pattern is the "vertical [[brushstroke]]" pattern, consisting of reddish brown and dark green vertical stripes on a light green background. The pattern is also worn by ''Tropas Especiales'' of the FAR, but may be issued to other personnel as well.

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 [[File:cuba3.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:cuba4.jpg|200px]]
 * Another camouflage design unique to the ''Tropas Especiales'' (in use from approximately 1980 to 1988) was this [[woodland]]-type pattern. Due to the period of documented use, it is possible this pattern was actually a copied and enlarged version of the US ERDL camouflage design.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 26 December 2025
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	[[File:usa69.jpg\|200px]]		[[File:usa69.jpg\|200px]]
		+	[[File:cuba-2506.png\|200px]]

	<html><script type="text/javascript"><!--		<html><script type="text/javascript"><!--

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 [[File:cuba6.jpg|200px]]
-* Circa 2023, the ''Brigada Móvil de Tropas Especiales'' (Mobile Brigade of Special Troops), also known as the ''Avispas Negras'' or "Black Wasps" adopted a new, pixelated camouflage pattern for its troops. Sourced in China, the four color pattern consists of two shades of green, brown, and tan and appears to be loosely based on the Chinese Type 07 "woodland camouflage."
+* At some point in 2022, the ''Brigada Móvil de Tropas Especiales'' (Mobile Brigade of Special Troops), also known as the ''Avispas Negras'' or "Black Wasps" adopted a new, pixelated camouflage pattern for its troops. Sourced in China, the four color pattern consists of two shades of green, brown, and tan and appears to be loosely based on the Chinese Type 07 "woodland camouflage."
 [[File:cuba-sf.jpg|200px]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:43, 18 March 2023
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	[[File:cuba6.jpg\|200px]]		[[File:cuba6.jpg\|200px]]
		+
		+	* Circa 2023, the ''Brigada Móvil de Tropas Especiales'' (Mobile Brigade of Special Troops), also known as the ''Avispas Negras'' or "Black Wasps" adopted a new, pixelated camouflage pattern for its troops. Sourced in China, the four color pattern consists of two shades of green, brown, and tan and appears to be loosely based on the Chinese Type 07 "woodland camouflage."
		+
		+	[[File:cuba-sf.jpg\|200px]]

	== Other Camouflage Patterns Worn in Cuba ==		== Other Camouflage Patterns Worn in Cuba ==