Control Through Isolation: The Tactics of War

Cuba experienced frequent wars at the end of the 19th century, notably the Ten Years' War and the war in 1895, indicating a period of instability and conflict. As the Spanish colonial authority struggled to maintain control as insurgencies grew, they resorted to a tactic of geographic designation—creating safe zones where those who complied would be considered friends and anyone outside deemed an enemy. This strategy reflected an inability to effectively manage rural insurgencies. The consequences of such tactics were dire, leading to desolation in regions designated as unsafe, where observers noted a chilling absence of life, highlighting the extreme measures taken in a desperate attempt to reestablish order in a perceived chaotic situation.