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HAVANA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government announced on Wednesday that it would hold military exercises between November 16 and 18, "as part of the country's preparedness for defense", according to a release from the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).
This move was announced after Donald Trump swept to a victory in the U.S. presidential election, raising fears on the island that he will undo progress seen under President Barack Obama.
These "Bastion" national military drills were born in 1980 and have been held periodically at high moments of stress between Havana and Washington. This year will see their seventh iteration.
The text explains that the goal is to increase "the country's disposition for defense and the preparation of the army and population to repel the enemy actions" .
Eastern Guantanamo province is excluded from the national exercise due to the devastation it suffered in October from hurricane Matthew.
The Cuban authorities did not link the drills to Donald Trump's victory.
