On June 12th four Russian warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, arrived in Cuba. Their arrival and visit were monitored by U.S. and Canadian ships.[1]
Just hours later on June 12th a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine (the USS Helena) stopped in the waters near the U.S. Guantanamo Naval Base at the eastern end of Cuba, and other U.S. and Canadian military vessels were in the island’s vicinity.[2]
According to the Official statement of Cuba’s Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces, the visit of the four Russian naval vessels was “part of the historic friendly relations between Cuba and the Russian Federation, [and] strictly adheres to the international conventions to which the State of Cuba is a party. Since none of these ships carry nuclear weapons, their stopover in our country represents no threat to the region.”[3]
While the Russian vessels were docked in Havana, they were open for visits to Cuban visitors, including its President, Miguel Diaz-Canel. The Russian vessels left Havana on June 18th, and its frigate went north along the U.S. eastern coastline.
On June 18th Alexander Moiseev, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, said that “the proximity of the detachment of ships of the [Russian] Northern Fleet to the borders of our current opponent [the U.S.] irritates someone. For us this is very important, and we trusted the actions of our forces. In addition, it shows support for the Republic of Cuba, which is close to us. The campaign had an effect,” and the Kremlin “will continue the practice of sailing ships to distant maritime zones.” [4]
On the same date, June 18th , the Pentagon’s Press Secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, said, “we obviously closely monitored [the Russian naval activity near Cuba and now near the U.S.. but we], don’t see any threat to the homeland and, and these types of exercises are not new. We’ve seen them take place . . . over the years.”
U.S. Congressional Hearing[5]
On June 12, the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on “Great Power Competition in the Western Hemisphere” with the following witnesses: Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Todd Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; and Mr. Michael Camilleri, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development.
Chairman McCaul’s Opening Statement
The Committee’s Chair, Representative Michael McCaul (Rep., Tex.), opened the hearing with an Opening Statement, which stated, in part, the following:
- “Under the Biden administration, China, Russia, and Iran have bolstered their presence in the region. They have cornered critical mineral markets, expanded their military footprint, and deepened their intelligence capabilities. All aided and abetted by many authoritarian regimes in the Americas. As we speak, four Russian warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, and a frigate carrying hypersonic missiles are set to arrive in Cuba.”
- “Congress has given the President tools to combat and compete with the great powers. It has authorized the [U.S. International Development Finance Corporation], appropriated bilateral economic assistance, and provided funding through the CHIPS Act – which I authored and passed into law – to secure our supply chains. It has mandated corruption sanctions against foreign officials and their family members.”
- “And yet, the Biden administration has not effectively used all the tools Congress has provided. The result is a hemisphere more and more aligned with our adversaries.”
- “Our adversaries cannot be separated. They are all connected and they are all working together. We can’t win the game if we are not on the field competing.
- “And in the great power competition in our hemisphere, I believe, that America is falling behind.”
In his subsequent questioning of the three witnesses, McCaul said, “ I think we need a new doctrine for our hemisphere. One that protects our interests, combats our enemies, and promotes shared prosperity between us and our allies.”
Assistant Secretary Nichols’ Testimony
Assistant Secretary Nichols told the Committee that the U.S. in discussions with Cuban officials has raised U.S. concerns about Cuba’s allowing or promoting “the participation of Cuban mercenaries as part of Russian aggression against Ukraine.” This is just one of many actions that demonstrates the importance of the Cuba-Russia military relationship, including the arrival this week of four Russian vessels in Cuban waters, and their monitoring by U.S. and Canadian warships.[6]
Nichols also mentioned the recent U.S. efforts to encourage the growing importance of private business enterprises in Cuba, which the U.S. believes are vital to counteract the malign influence on Cuba of Russia and China.
Conclusion
Unfortunately the U.S. continued embargo of Cuba and identifying the island as a state sponsor of terrorism have contributed to a tense relationship between the two countries and to Cuba’s need for support from other strong countries like Russia. As has been argued in other posts to this blog, the U.S. should cease these policies that are harmful to Cuba and pursue a policy of reconciliation.
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[1] E.g., Russian ships arrive in Cuba as Cold War allies strengthen their ties, CNN.com (June 12, 2024).
[2] The US sends an attack submarine to the Guantanamo Naval Base, Diario de Cuba (June 13, 2024).
[3] The regime regarding the US nuclear submarine: ‘We were informed, but we do not like its presence, Diario de Cuba (June 15, 2024).
[4 ] What Is the Russian war flotilla that was in Cuba doing off the coast of Florida, Diario de Cuba? (June 19, 2024); The Russian war flotilla leaves Cuba, while US ships and tracking planes are activated, Diario de Cuba (June 17, 2024)
[5] House Foreign Affairs Comm., Committee Hearing Notice (June 5, 2024); House Foreign Affairs Comm., Hearing Webcast, Great Power Competition in the Western Hemisphere (June 12, 2024)
[6] Granma, the official newspaper of the island’s communist Party, said the arrival of these Russian vessels was “a sign of the two countries’ “relations of friendship and collaboration.” (In Cuba, naval detachment of the Russian Federation, Granma (June 13, 2024) https://www.granma.cu/mundo/2024-06-13/en-cuba-destacamento-naval-de-la-federacion-de-rusia-13-06-2024-02-06-11