Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has put forward a plan to establish a logistics hub in Cuba aimed at distributing goods from Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member countries to Latin America and the Caribbean. This proposal was made during the plenary session of the IV Eurasian Economic Forum, held in Minsk, Belarus. Díaz-Canel suggested utilizing the capacities of a special economic zone west of Havana as the base for this initiative, which he asserted could serve as a pivotal connection point for the transit of goods between Eurasia and Latin America.
During his official visit to Belarus, Díaz-Canel advocated for this idea as a means to bolster the export potential of EEU countries and attract foreign investments to Cuba, amidst one of the island's deepest economic crises in decades. The proposal aligns with Havana's strategy of forging closer ties with geopolitical blocs outside the Western sphere as part of its effort to diversify international alliances.
The EEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, with Cuba participating as an observer state, alongside Uzbekistan. "The Cuban companies represented here, despite the stringent blockade by our powerful neighbor, today offer a variety of exportable products and investment opportunities," Díaz-Canel stated, reiterating the official narrative that blames the United States for Cuba's internal economic challenges.
The Cuban leader also expressed a desire to deepen exchanges with the EEU in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, agro-industry, construction, transportation, energy, tourism, education, and health. As part of his bilateral agenda in Belarus, Díaz-Canel visited Belmedpreparaty, a pharmaceutical company with longstanding ties to Cuba, which exports medicines to over 20 countries, according to TeleSur.
He also toured the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), a company with a history of collaboration with Havana in agricultural machinery and transportation. In his meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, both leaders discussed expanding cooperation in biotechnology, food production, health, and tourism, among other strategic sectors.
The visit serves to strengthen the historical bonds between both governments, characterized by political affinities, mutual support in international forums, and a shared vision regarding centralized economic models and state control. During the Cuban leader's visit to Belarus, it was announced that a tractor factory committed to supplying at least 50 units of agricultural machinery to Cuba by the end of 2025, amid the island's severe economic crisis and the agricultural sector's struggles to secure basic food supplies.
Eurasian Economic Union Logistics Initiative in Cuba
What is the purpose of the proposed logistics hub in Cuba?
The proposed logistics hub in Cuba aims to facilitate the distribution of goods from Eurasian Economic Union member countries to Latin America and the Caribbean, serving as a key transit point for goods between these regions.
Which countries are members of the Eurasian Economic Union?
The Eurasian Economic Union comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Cuba participates as an observer state, along with Uzbekistan.
How does Cuba plan to benefit from the logistics hub?
Cuba aims to enhance its export potential and attract foreign investments by establishing the logistics hub, thereby diversifying its international alliances and mitigating economic challenges.
What sectors are Cuba and Belarus looking to expand cooperation in?
Cuba and Belarus are looking to expand cooperation in biotechnology, food production, health, tourism, and other strategic sectors, as discussed during Díaz-Canel's visit to Belarus.