Russian Warships Arrive In Cuba Ahead Of Military Drills In The Caribbean

A fleet comprising Russian vessels reached the Cuban waters on Wednesday ahead of scheduled military exercises in the Caribbean waters that some perceive as a projection of the strength as tensions grow over the Western support for Ukraine.

The fleet, comprising a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, a rescue tug and an oil tanker, sailed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean.

The flagship frigate, adorned with Cuban and Russian flags, was reportedly greeted by a 21-cannon salute.

Russia’s sailors aboard the frigate stood in military formation as they gradually approached the island.

Some of the Cuban residents paused to take photographs of the arriving vessels.

The US officials expect Russian vessels to stay in the region throughout the summer and stop in Venezuela.

Russia has been a longtime ally of Cuba and Venezuela, and its aircraft and warships have also periodically carried out forays into the Caribbean.

But the mission comes through less than two weeks after Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-provided weapons to strike Russia to safeguard Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, prompting Vladimir Putin to suggest his military could respond with “asymmetrical steps” somewhere in the world.

Benjamin Gedan, the director of the Latin America Program associated with the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank, explained that the warships serve as an excellent reminder to Washington that it is not entirely pleasant when an adversary meddles in near abroad. This indicates the Western involvement in the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.

He said it further reminded Russia’s friends in the region, including U.S. antagonists Cuba and Venezuela, that Moscow is on their side.

Even though the fleet includes a nuclear-powered submarine, a senior US administration official informed The Associated Press that the intelligence community has determined that no vessel is loaded with nuclear weapons.

An anonymous official stated that Russian deployments pose zero direct risk to the US.

Russian vessels have been docked in Havana since 2008 when a group of vessels from Russia entered Cuban waters in what state media highlighted as the first such visit in about two decades.

In 2015, a reconnaissance and communications vessel had arrived unannounced in Havana a day before discussions between U.S. and Cuban officials on reopening diplomatic relations.

A spokesperson associated with the State Department has informed the AP that Russian port calls in Cuba are mere “routine naval visits” when acknowledging that the military exercises have ratcheted up owing to US support to Ukraine and also exercise activity in support of NATO allies.

On Wednesday, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, hosted Bruno Rodríguez, his Cuban counterpart, for further discussions in Moscow.

Speaking to reporters after discussions, Lavrov expressed gratitude to the Cuban authorities for their position on Ukraine.

Lavrov said that from the start, Havana shared an assessment of what was happening, outlining the correct reasons for what was unfolding (in Ukraine) and what the West had been preparing for many years.

Ryan Berg, the director of the Americas Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated that Russia’s defence and military doctrine puts Latin America and the Caribbean in a crucial position.

The sphere is viewed as under US influence and acts as a counterweight to Washington’s ongoing activities in Europe.

While it is likely slightly more than provocation via Moscow, it sends out the message regarding the Russian ability to project power into the Western Hemisphere with its allies, and it will keep the US military on high alert while they’re in the theatre, Berg mentioned.

The timing of the year’s mission could serve Russia’s purposes, but it’s also raising the questions of whether the Venezuelan government may use it as a chance to shore up President Nicolás Maduro’s recent bid for a third term in the July 28 election.

Venezuela’s chief opposition coalition has been posing a threat to the ruling party’s decades-long control of power.

Steering a crisis built on simmering tensions with Guyana is among the scenarios that analysts strongly believe Maduro’s government could use to postpone or cancel the vote.

Evan Ellis, a Latin American research professor associated with the US Army War College, stated that it is nearly unthinkable that Maduro would risk losing power.

He added that the obvious alternative that is consistent with the Venezuelan military’s recent actions is to fabricate an international crisis that would be able to provide an excuse for postponing the Venezuelan election.

Russian warships in the vicinity would add to the escalation risks of such a crisis that Maduro would be fabricated, which is the point.

Venezuelan voters reportedly approved a referendum in December to claim sovereignty over the Essequibo territory, which accounts for two-thirds of Guyana and is close to huge offshore oil deposits.

Venezuela further argues that it had been stolen when the border was drawn over a century ago.

Guyana is currently awaiting a decision on Venezuela’s claim from the International Court of Justice.

However, Maduro’s government doesn’t recognize the authority.

The two nations squared off there on Tuesday, with Guyana staunchly objecting to a request from Venezuela for 12 more months to submit the additional pleadings.

The US is supportive of Guyana in the continuing dispute and aided it with surveillance flights in late 2023 when Venezuela threatened to invade the nation.

Last month, Guyana’s government permitted the US military to fly two advanced F/A-18F Super Hornet jets over the country’s capital to demonstrate close cooperation.

On June 6, Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s VP, acknowledged that Russia’s fleet doesn’t pose a direct threat.

In a press release, Jagdeo mentioned that they are vigilant and keeping the issue firmly on their policy radar.

Reference: AP, USNI

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