The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, Carlos Luis Jorge, described as "manipulation" on social media the narrative that the Cuban regime is seeking a lifeline in Russia, in statements made to Canal Caribe following the conclusion of the XXIII session of the Cuba-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, held on April 1 in Saint Petersburg.
"As part of the manipulation happening on social media, attempting to impose opposing narratives about our country, there are specific messages suggesting that we are seeking a lifeline in Russia, that we want to return to a state of dependency on that country, and we do not see it that way, nor have we presented it in that manner to the Federation of Russia, nor do they perceive it in that way either," the official declared.
The context of these statements comes amidst a profound energy crisis in Cuba, where the country is facing a deficit of over 2,000 megawatts and daily power outages of up to 18 to 25 hours in various regions of the island.
The shipment of Russian oil, which according to official sources represents the first and only fuel we have received in four months, has been presented by Havana as a significant relief, although analysts point out that it barely covers between seven and ten days of total consumption on the island.
Last Friday, the Cuban regime authorized Russian companies to manage industrial facilities in Cuba, a measure agreed upon during the XXIII Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission held on April 1 in St. Petersburg, as part of a strategy to attempt to revive an economy on the brink of collapse.
The decision was announced one day after Miguel Díaz-Canel received the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Serguéi Ryabkov, at the Palace of the Revolution, in the context of the Inter-Ministerial Consultations between both countries held on April 8 and 9 in Havana.
Ryabkov was emphatic during the meeting: "Russia is one hundred percent supportive of Cuba. We fully understand the complexity of the moment the country is going through, and we stand by you."
The Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Román Chekushev, emphasized that the initiative to allow Russian companies to operate industrial facilities on the island aims to enhance Cuba's appeal as an investment destination and to open new opportunities for business cooperation.
Russia also announced the preparation of a second oil shipment to Cuba, reinforcing the narrative of cooperation that both governments are trying to project to the public. In parallel, the regime also authorized Russian companies to manage industrial facilities in Cuban territory, a measure that critics interpret as a clear indication of increasing dependence on Moscow.
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