HAVANA (AP) — On Wednesday, a fleet of Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters for planned military exercises in the Caribbean. This move is seen as a show of strength amid growing tensions over Western support for Ukraine.
The fleet includes a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker, and a rescue tug. They entered Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean. The lead frigate, displaying both Russian and Cuban flags, received a 21-cannon salute. Russian sailors stood in formation as the ships approached, while some Cuban residents took pictures of the impressive scene.
U.S. officials expect the Russian ships to stay in the region through the summer, possibly also visiting Venezuela. Russia has a long-standing alliance with both Venezuela and Cuba, and its military presence in the Caribbean has been periodic. This mission follows recent tensions, including President Joe Biden authorizing Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to defend Kharkiv. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested his military could take “asymmetrical steps” elsewhere in the world.
Benjamin Gedan from the Wilson Center think tank noted that these warships serve as a reminder to the U.S. that adversarial meddling in nearby regions is unwelcome. It also reassures Russia’s allies in the area that Moscow supports them.
Despite the presence of a nuclear-powered submarine, a senior U.S. official confirmed that none of the vessels carry nuclear weapons, and Russia’s deployments pose no direct threat to the United States. Russian ships have visited Havana occasionally since 2008, with notable arrivals in 2015 during talks on reopening U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.
A State Department spokesperson described these visits as “routine naval visits,” but acknowledged that military exercises have increased due to U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO exercises.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Cuban counterpart Bruno RodrÃguez in Moscow. Lavrov thanked Cuba for its stance on Ukraine, praising Havana’s understanding of the situation’s root causes.
Ryan Berg from the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Russia views Latin America and the Caribbean as strategically important, seeing the region as a counterbalance to U.S. activities in Europe. He suggested that while the mission is likely provocative, it demonstrates Russia’s capability to project power in the Western Hemisphere with the help of its allies.
The timing of this mission raises questions about Venezuela’s upcoming election on July 28. Analysts suggest that Venezuela’s government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, might use this opportunity to create an international crisis to delay or cancel the vote, especially as opposition strength grows.
Venezuela’s claim over the Essequibo territory, a dispute with Guyana, is a significant issue. Guyana awaits a decision from the International Court of Justice, which Venezuela does not recognize. The U.S. supports Guyana in this dispute, having previously assisted with surveillance flights and military demonstrations.
Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that while the Russian fleet does not pose a direct threat, the government remains vigilant and is closely monitoring the situation.
