Russia Seeks Security Dialogue with Cuba and Latin American Allies

The Russian Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, called on Thursday to revive multilateral security dialogues between Moscow and its key allies in Latin America: Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Cuba. This announcement occurred during a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, José Adelino Ornelas Ferreira, at the XIII Moscow International Security Summit, as reported by EFE.

Shoigu emphasized that, beyond bilateral negotiations, Russia is committed to re-establishing the five-party consultation format, which has been dormant for several years. "In addition to bilateral talks, we are focused on resuming the Russia-Nicaragua-Bolivia-Venezuela-Cuba consultations," Shoigu stated.

He praised Venezuela as one of Russia's "key allies and strategic partners" both regionally and globally, highlighting the steady growth in bilateral relations through new cooperation projects. Shoigu also recalled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's visit to Moscow in early May for the 80th-anniversary celebrations of the Soviet victory in World War II. During this visit, Maduro and Vladimir Putin discussed expanding strategic cooperation.

"We are committed to fulfilling the agreements reached. We confirm our interest in organizing dialogue at the security council level," Shoigu noted. Although specific dates and agendas for the consultations were not disclosed, the declaration underscores the Kremlin's intent to bolster its presence and influence in Latin America amid rising international tensions and shifting global alliances.

In 2024, during a bilateral meeting with Cuba's Interior Minister Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, Shoigu had already expressed Moscow's interest in strengthening ties with Havana, according to the pro-government outlet Cubadebate. On that occasion, the Russian Security Council Secretary conveyed his country's readiness to enhance cooperation between security councils, intelligence services, and law enforcement, while also expanding trade, economic ties, and investments through a bilateral intergovernmental commission.

Shoigu further mentioned that Russia would take additional steps to support Cuba, including the possibility of new credit lines to help the island cope with the consequences of the US embargo. He spoke of establishing a broader strategic partnership between the two nations, covering multiple sectors.

Moscow's push to reactivate security consultations with its Latin American allies is part of a broader strategy aimed at Cuba. This year, the Russian government reaffirmed its commitment to "rescue the Cuban economy" with cooperation projects and direct involvement in key sectors.

Concrete actions include a Russian investment plan of up to one billion dollars targeting strategic sectors on the island and the announcement of new credit lines to support the regime, interpreted as direct political and economic backing.

In the military sphere, the ties between the two countries have also tightened. Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, was received in Moscow to coordinate military cooperation aspects. Recently, a high-ranking Russian Defense official visited a military base in Cuba, reinforcing the strategic alignment signals between Havana and Moscow.

These moves underscore that Russia is not merely maintaining diplomatic relations with the Cuban regime but is actively working to sustain its economy and strengthen its security apparatus amid an increasingly polarized international context.