Cuba reaffirms alliance with Russia with trade and tourism agreements
Cuba reaffirmed its partnership with Russia on Tuesday when it announced a series of new contracts, including oil supply, the sale of wheat and the resumption of flights between the countries.
The agreements between the two countries, both facing economic sanctions from the United States, were announced after the visit by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to Russia and were disclosed on Tuesday by Cuba’s vice-minister for foreign affairs Gerardo Penalver in an interview with Cuba debate website.
“There was progress in the high-level political dialogue, taking into account that both nations are strategic allies and are under the effect of unilateral coercive measures,” said Mr Penalver, who was in Russia with Marrero and other high-level officials from June 6-17.
It was the most recent in a series of meetings between Russian and Cuban officials seeking to reinforce ties.
Officials didn’t provide details on the content of the agreements signed in Russia or those signed in Havana in the previous months. Still, Mr Penalver mentioned some crucial sectors, including the continuing supply of fuels and lubricants “in difficult moments” for the island and the renewal of flights between Russia and Cuba, starting on July 1.
Mr Penalver also mentioned the expansion of MIR cards, a payment system in Russia that allows Russian tourists to make cash withdrawals and convert roubles to Cuban pesos.
MIR cards are accepted in other partner countries of Russia, including Turkey and Vietnam.
Mr Marrero’s visit included a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and a trip to St Petersburg to attend the international economic forum.
This follows US accusations that China has operated a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019.
Cuba’s deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, has denounced the accusation as “slanderous speculation” by the US.
0 Comment