Russia: Cuba's Diaz-Canel Heads to Moscow to Strengthen Ties

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is scheduled to begin a 12-day international tour through Russia, North Korea, China, Vietnam and Laos, on Wednesday.

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Military cooperation “will be prominently featured in the agenda” according to Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman. Some of the possible important deals could include inking a US$50-million loan which was rumored to be pledged to Cuba earlier this week - for the purposes of purchasing Russian military equipment.

Currently, Russia holds several contracts with Cuba, including one aimed at the modernization the Caribbean country’s infrastructure to the tune of nearly US$260 million, according to Yury Borisov, Russian deputy prime minister.  

Cuba and Russia have a long history of friendly relations which dates back to the Cold War era. Both countries are also now facing sanctions from the United States and Western European countries.

Russia recently expressed solidarity with Cuba by agreeing with the resolutions and communications directive from the United Nations' rejection of the U.S. blockade on Cuba, according to Prensa Latina. 

Diaz-Canel is embarking on the international trip as Havana’s relations with Washington are eroding, after having progressed during Barack Obama’s Administration.

Cuba was recently charged to reject U.S. President Donald Trump Administration's attempt to justify the economic blockade on the Latin American country which was put in place in 1962. “This is a maneuver for propaganda purposes (...) to manipulate public opinion (...) It is the duty of any diplomat to defend the truth (...), to prevent the violation of procedures and the attack on sovereign states,” Bruno Rodriguez Padilla, minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, stated.