The Russian government is strengthening its ties with Cuba through new agreements that include the delivery of 100,000 tons of oil, the assembly of Russian vehicles on the island, and the launch of a taxi service in Havana with 50 Moskvitch cars.
The agreements come at a complex time for the Cuban economy, which is marked by a severe energy crisis that results in power outages lasting over 20 hours. The people face daily challenges in food production and difficulties in transportation due to fuel shortages, among other hardships.
The Vice Prime Minister of the Russian government, Dmitry Chernyshenko, chaired the XXII session of the Russia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission for economic-commercial and scientific-technical collaboration this Friday in Havana, where 17 cooperation agreements were signed.
During the meeting, the official confirmed that Moscow granted a state loan to Cuba and that 12 investment projects have already begun to be implemented in key sectors such as transportation, energy, food, and technology.
First Russian car assembled in Cuba and a plan for taxis
One of the most notable announcements was the implementation of a taxi service using Moskvitch vehicles in the Cuban capital, something that had been announced since November 2024.
In short, we are going to move on to the practical implementation of a taxi service in Havana with the arrival of 50 vehicles from the Moskvitch brand,” Chernyshenko announced.
The official also participated in the launch ceremony of the first Russian vehicle assembled in Cuba, a UAZ model produced by the local company EISA in partnership with the Russian firm ECHO-Export SRL.
This initiative was formalized during the Cubaindustria 2024 Convention. In its first stage, the project includes the production of Patriot and Pickup models, and later, light cargo vehicles from the Profi line.
Russian Oil: Cooperation in Times of Crisis
Power outages have been one of the main causes of protests against the Cuban government in recent times. Russia responds to Díaz-Canel's call and commits to delivering 100,000 tons of oil as part of the state loan mentioned by Chernyshenko, without revealing details of the agreement.
In addition, he reiterated Russian support in the Jaruco oil extraction area, which is crucial for addressing the ongoing Cuban energy crisis.
According to official figures, bilateral trade reached 375 million dollars in 2024, placing Russia among the top ten trading partners of the island.
Meetings at the highest level
Chernyshenko was received at the Palace of the Revolution by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who described the meeting as “very productive” and noted that the agreements reached reflect the “intensity of the strategic ties” between the two nations.
The signed agreements cover sensitive areas such as health, higher education, urban planning, geodesy, cartography, and artificial intelligence. It also includes projects for scientific cooperation, agriculture, and educational exchange.
The Cuban Vice Prime Minister, Ricardo Cabrisas, emphasized during the intergovernmental session that it is “essential” to have strategic partners like Russia to progress in the macroeconomic stabilization and development program until 2030 and achieve concrete results in the short term.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cooperation between Russia and Cuba
What agreements has Russia signed with Cuba to improve transportation on the island?
Russia has signed agreements to send 50 Moskvitch vehicles to Cuba, aimed at improving taxi services in Havana and Varadero. These vehicles are part of an effort to modernize urban transportation and it is anticipated that their multimedia systems will be adapted to Spanish to facilitate their use.
How is the economic crisis affecting transportation infrastructure in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led to a significant deterioration in transportation infrastructure, with a shortage of financial resources, a lack of spare parts and fuels, and an aging vehicle fleet. This has resulted in a collapse of public transportation, impacting the mobility of citizens and the economic development of the country.
What impact does the delivery of Russian oil have on the energy crisis in Cuba?
Russia has delivered 100,000 tons of oil to Cuba as part of a state loan, which is crucial for addressing the energy crisis on the island. This supply aims to alleviate the energy deficit and prevent prolonged blackouts, which have been a persistent issue due to the deterioration of electrical infrastructure.
What is Russia's role in the modernization of Cuba's energy sector?
Russia has collaborated with Cuba in the modernization of the energy sector through technical assistance and the supply of spare parts and specialized equipment. Projects have been proposed for the modernization of thermal power plants and oil production in Boca de Jaruco, with the aim of ensuring energy security and reducing dependence on imports.
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