The Cuban government began forcibly transferring young men undergoing mandatory military service from the Oriente region to Havana between 11:15 PM UTC on January 31, 2026, and 2:15 AM UTC on February 1, according to reports received during this 2-hour-59-minute period, as the regime militarizes the capital amid fears of protests during an economic collapse. Cuban exile Agus Antonetti reported on X at an unspecified time within the window, stating he received several accounts of the transfers happening "at this moment," with most recruits originating from Oriente province, according to the post at https://x.com/agusantonetti/status/2017777083426971678. The militarization follows U.S. Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez's warning posted on X on January 31 between 8:16 PM and 11:15 PM UTC for tourists to leave Cuba before it is too late, citing concerns over travel to the communist nation, as noted in prior reporting. No official statements from the Cuban government or U.S. authorities confirming the transfers were reported during this period.
