Amidst the severe economic and energy crisis facing Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro made his first public appearance in weeks to welcome Lieutenant General Alexander Viacheslavovich Kurenkov, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, in Havana.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday afternoon, focused on strengthening the ties of cooperation between both countries, particularly in the context of the current crisis facing the island, affected by devastating hurricanes and energy shortages, as reported by the Cuban regime in an official statement.
Castro emphasized the historical friendship between Cuba and Russia, expressing gratitude for the continuous assistance from the Russian government, which has been essential during times of emergency.
In particular, it mentioned the solidarity donations from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, which include assistance to Cuban firefighters and rescuers, as well as support for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, the report states.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of growing concern about the internal situation in Cuba. In recent weeks, the island has been severely impacted by hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, as well as several earthquakes that have wreaked havoc in the eastern region. Furthermore, the country is grappling with serious energy issues, experiencing widespread blackouts that affect nearly the entire population.
In that context, the support from Havana's old ally has been essential. Last week, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernichenko, who announced a $65 million credit to help Cuba address the energy crisis.
This credit is complemented by other agreements, including a loan of over 60 million dollars for fuel purchases and a donation of two million dollars to repair the island's electrical system, which is experiencing severe deterioration.
Russia's support not only includes technical assistance but also a restructuring of Cuba's debt. In March, Moscow approved modifications to existing credit agreements, allowing Cuba to postpone payments and make them in rubles, which alleviates pressure on the Cuban economy.
Raúl Castro's return to the Cuban political scene coincides with a critical moment for the country. Despite rumors about his health, the former Cuban leader has continued to play a symbolic and strategic role in Cuba's international relations, welcoming high-ranking dignitaries from allied countries, such as Chinese leader Li Shulei, who also visited the island in mid-October.
However, their appearances remain increasingly sporadic, and their influence on internal decision-making seems to have diminished in recent months.
Meanwhile, President Díaz-Canel continues to face internal criticism regarding his handling of natural disasters and the economic crisis. In recent weeks, the Cuban leader has visited the provinces affected by Hurricane Oscar, where residents have voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of attention and resources to address the flooding, ongoing blackouts, and scarcity of drinking water.
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