A group of 25 Cuban children will travel to Russia to participate in activities at the Orliónok International Center, a former stronghold of Soviet indoctrination that operated for decades as an ideological training center for minors.
The camp, located in the Krasnodar region on the shores of the Black Sea, thus resumes a practice that had been halted for almost 30 years: sending Cuban children to programs closely linked to the political agenda of Moscow and Havana.
The announcement was made this Saturday by Alexandr Dzheus, the director of the center, during the celebrations for the 65th anniversary of the institution.
“Cooperation with the Republic of Cuba has recently resumed, and 25 children will come along with their mentors. After a break of nearly 30 years, we are reestablishing cooperation with Cuba,” Dzheus declared to Russian media, according to the official report from Prensa Latina.
The Orliónok Center is a state facility with the capacity to host over 3,500 children in the summer. Founded during the Soviet era, it has been a symbol of socialist education aimed at children and adolescents, with a strong emphasis on civic, cultural, and political training.
It has ten basic camps and since 2012, it has held the status of UNESCO Associated School, in addition to being part of international networks such as the International Camping Fellowship.
The announcement refers to a common practice during the Cold War, when thousands of Cuban children traveled to camps like Artek or Orliónok as part of the ideological ties between Havana and Moscow.
Many of them were selected based on political merit or for being the children of "outstanding" workers or members of official organizations.
This new shipment of minors takes place within the context of a renewed rapprochement between the Cuban regime and the government of Vladimir Putin, which has included official visits, economic agreements, military cooperation, and mutual diplomatic support.
The reactivation of this type of children's exchanges is part of that political alignment strategy.
Although it is presented as a cultural and educational program, the reappearance of these initiatives generates criticism for their potential use as a tool for ideological influence, at a time when the Cuban educational system is experiencing a deep crisis: a shortage of teachers, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of essential resources in the classrooms.
Russia rolls out the red carpet for Cuban graduates in a new gesture of rapprochement
In addition to sending Cuban children to the Orlionok camp, the governor of St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, announced that the top graduates of Cuban schools have been invited to spend the summer in the Russian city, emphasized the press of that nation.
The young people will attend the cultural festival "Alas Rojas" (Alie Parusa) and enjoy summer activities in the so-called "capital of the north."
Beglov emphasized that Cuba keeps the common legacy with Russia alive, highlighting that Cubans “care for the graves of our compatriots, respect Russian culture, and the values of the Russian world.”
He also recalled that the Orthodox temple of Our Lady of Kazan in Havana was built at the initiative of Fidel Castro, whom he described as an admirer of St. Petersburg.
The gesture is part of the relaunch of bilateral cooperation in the educational, cultural, and economic fields.
Moscow and Havana strengthen their alliance with children, spies, and energy
The sending of Cuban children to the Russian camp Orliónok occurs in a context of accelerated tightening between the governments of Havana and Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin has publicly expressed his intention to send Russian minors to recreational centers in Cuba, in what he refers to as a cultural cooperation program.
This proposal has been presented as a symbolic gesture of affinity between both regimes, evoking the dynamics of the socialist bloc during the Cold War.
Additionally, the political rapprochement has been evidenced by the visit to Havana by Serguéi Narishkin, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, who met with ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Palace of the Revolution.
The presence of Narishkin on the island reflects not only coordination in diplomatic and military matters but also a strengthening of the ideological alignment between both countries.
Another focus of this renewed alliance is the development of an air and energy corridor between Yucatán and Cuba, with active participation from Russian companies.
Putin has promoted this connection as part of his geoeconomic expansion strategy in Latin America, using Cuba as a regional hub. The Russian Bet includes transportation, tourism, and energy resources, reinforcing Cuba's dependence on traditional geopolitical allies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sending Cuban Children to Camps in Russia
Why is Russia once again receiving Cuban children in its camps?
Russia has resumed the practice of hosting Cuban children in its camps as part of a political alignment strategy with Cuba. This practice had been halted for nearly 30 years and is restarting in the context of a rapprochement between the two countries, marked by economic agreements and military cooperation. Although it is presented as a cultural and educational program, there are criticisms regarding its potential use for ideological influence.
What is the International Center Orlionok and what is its history?
The Orlionok International Center is a Russian state camp located in Krasnodar. Founded during the Soviet era, it has historically been used as a training center for minors, with a strong focus on civic, cultural, and political education. Currently, it is resuming its cooperation activities with Cuba, in line with the political agendas of both governments.
What criticisms have been made regarding the sending of Cuban children to Russia?
The sending of Cuban children to Russia has generated criticism for its use as a tool of ideological influence. In a context where the Cuban educational system is facing a serious crisis, with a shortage of teachers and resources, the priority of these exchanges is being questioned as they may perpetuate political and cultural indoctrination.
What other exchanges between Cuba and Russia are taking place?
In addition to sending Cuban children to camps in Russia, there are various exchange and cooperation programs between both countries. This includes sending Cuban students to Russian universities, training Cuban cadets in Russian military academies, and cultural agreements such as joint animation production. These agreements reinforce the strategic and political alliance between Havana and Moscow.
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