Cuba calls National Defence Day on date of planned protests

Organisers say the government is militarising the country for the upcoming civil liberties demonstrations.

Cuba has announced it will conduct annual military exercises on the date of planned human rights protests around the country.

A brief armed forces communique published in state-run media on Friday has said the country will conduct annual military exercises on November 18 to 19, leading up to a day of civilian defence preparedness on November 20.

That is the same date dissident groups are planning nationwide demonstrations calling for civil liberties, including the right to peaceful protest and an amnesty for imprisoned government opponents.