The Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Sergei Shoigu, proposed on Thursday to resume multilateral security consultations between Moscow and its main allies in Latin America: Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Cuba.
The announcement was made during a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, José Adelino Ornelas Ferreira, in the context of the XIII International Security Summit in Moscow, reported EFE.
Shoigu indicated that, in addition to maintaining bilateral negotiations, Russia is focused on reviving the five-party consultation format that has been suspended for years.
"In addition to bilateral negotiations, we are focused on resuming the five-party consultations in the Russia-Nicaragua-Bolivia-Venezuela-Cuba format," stated the Russian official.
Shoigu emphasized that Venezuela is one of Russia's "key allies and strategic partners" both regionally and globally, and highlighted the consistent growth of bilateral relations, with new cooperation projects underway.
During his speech, he also recalled the visit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to Moscow in early May to participate in the commemorative events for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II. In that context, Maduro held talks with Vladimir Putin, and both parties agreed to expand strategic cooperation.
"We are focused on fulfilling the agreements reached. For our part, we confirm our interest in organizing the dialogue at the level of security councils," highlighted Shoigú.
Although no specific dates or agenda were provided for the consultations, the statement confirms the Kremlin's intention to strengthen its presence and influence in Latin America at a time of increasing international tension and reconfiguration of global alliances.
In 2024, during a bilateral meeting with Cuba's Minister of the Interior, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, Serguéi Shoigú had already expressed Moscow's interest in strengthening ties with Havana, according to a report by the official Cubadebate.
On that occasion, the Russian Security Council secretary expressed his country's willingness to intensify cooperation between security councils, intelligence services, and law enforcement agencies, while also expanding commercial, economic, and investment ties through a bilateral intergovernmental commission.
Shoigu also emphasized that Russia would take additional measures to support Cuba, including the possibility of new lines of credit, with the stated intention of helping the island cope with the consequences of the U.S. embargo.
The senior Russian official even spoke about building a broader strategic partnership between the two countries, encompassing multiple sectors.
Moscow's push to revive security consultations with its Latin American allies is part of a broader strategy that Russia has been implementing towards Cuba.
This year, the Russian government reaffirmed its intention to “rescue the Cuban economy” through cooperation projects and direct involvement in key sectors.
Among the specific actions is a Russian investment plan of up to one billion dollars aimed at strategic sectors on the island, as well as the announcement of new lines of credit to support the regime, which is interpreted as direct political and economic backing.
In the military sphere, the ties between both countries have also strengthened. The Cuban Minister of the Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, was received in Moscow to coordinate aspects of military cooperation, and more recently, it was reported that a high-ranking Russian Defense official visited a military base in Cuba, reinforcing the signs of strategic alignment between Havana and Moscow.
These actions reinforce the idea that Russia is not only looking to maintain diplomatic relations with the Cuban regime but is also actively working to support its economic sustainability and strengthen its security apparatus in an increasingly polarized international context.
Frequently asked questions about relations between Russia and Cuba
What is the purpose of the security consultations between Russia and its Latin American allies?
The aim of Russia with the security consultations is to strengthen its presence and influence in Latin America, especially with allies such as Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Cuba. These consultations seek to resume multilateral dialogue in a format that had been suspended for years, reflecting the Kremlin's interest in maintaining and expanding its network of alliances in the region amid increasing international tensions.
What type of support does Russia currently offer Cuba?
Russia is offering economic, military, and energy support to Cuba. This includes investments in key sectors of the Cuban economy, such as energy and transportation, as well as the supply of oil and the establishment of a broader strategic partnership. Furthermore, Russia has provided lines of credit to help Cuba address the consequences of the American embargo, reinforcing its role as one of the main supporters of the Cuban regime amid its economic crisis.
How does the relationship between Cuba and Russia impact the internal situation on the island?
Cuba's dependence on Russia has intensified its international isolation and economic crisis. Although Russian aid aims to alleviate some of the island's energy and financial shortcomings, the growing subordination of the Cuban regime to Kremlin interests compromises its sovereignty and has not led to significant improvements for the population, which continues to face blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, and mass migration.
What are the implications of military cooperation between Cuba and Russia?
The military cooperation between Cuba and Russia strengthens the security apparatus of the Cuban regime and its strategic alignment with Moscow. This connection includes the possibility of recruiting Cubans by the Russian army and coordination in intelligence and defense, which enhances Russian influence in the Caribbean and could have significant implications for the balance of power in the region.
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