Escuelas Militares Camilo Cienfuegos celebrate 60th anniversary

The Escuelas Militares Camilo Cienfuegos (EMCC) are celebrating their 60th anniversary. Founded on September 23, 1966, by then-Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Raúl Castro with the support of Fidel Castro, these institutions serve as a primary training ground for Cuba's military.

The first school opened on the outskirts of Havana, originally intended for the children of rebel combatants who died during the war. Over the decades, the system expanded to central and eastern provinces. In 1968/69, female students were incorporated, reflecting the increasing role of women in national defense. By 1977, the schools officially became pre-university centers focused on training students in sciences and letters with a military vocation.

Students, popularly known as ‘Camilitos’, undergo rigorous training in discipline, political-moral values, and physical readiness. The schools act as a direct pipeline to university-level military education, preparing future officers, technicians, lawyers, and doctors for the FAR. Notable alumni include three Generals and two Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, Orlando Cardoso Villavicencio and René González.