EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS

The National Defense Law establishes that exceptional situations are the states of that nature that are temporarily established in the country or part of it, in order to guarantee national defense or protect the population and the economy in case of military aggression, natural disasters, other types of catastrophes and or other circumstances that because of their nature or magnitude affect the internal order, the country’s security or the stability of the State. Pursuant to the Constitution and the above mentioned Law, the following situations can be declared exceptional.

State of war or war proper.- It is the exceptional situation of greatest importance which is declared in all of the national territory with the aim of employing all the forces and resources of society and the State to maintain and defend the homeland’s integrity and sovereignty. It can be declared, in the event of military aggression, by the National Assembly of the People’s Power or by the Council of State when the former is adjourned and cannot be convoked with the necessary security and urgency.

General mobilization.- It is the exceptional situation established in all of the national territory to attain, in a gradual and progressive way, the complete combat readiness of the country and put it in conditions of maintaining its integrity and sovereignty. It can be decreed by the Council of State when the country’s defend demands it.

State of emergency.- It is declared in the case or imminence of natural disasters or catastrophes or other circumstances that due to their nature or magnitude affect the internal order, the country’s security or the stability of the State, in all of the national territory or part of it, and while it last the population can be mobilized. It is declared by the President of the Council of State by a Resolution stating the causes that motivate it, the territory where it is established and the time it will be in force.

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