The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) has inked a strategic "roadmap" with Belaya Rus, a political party from Belarus, aiming to enhance interparty cooperation and bolster economic and political ties between these two Kremlin-aligned regimes. This agreement marks another step in the growing relationship between Havana and Minsk, which both serve as strategic allies to Moscow.
The accord was signed at the PCC's Central Committee headquarters in Havana by Roberto Morales Ojeda, the Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, alongside Olga Chemodanova, the head of Belaya Rus. According to the Belarusian state agency BelTA, this roadmap outlines a plan of action covering politics, economics, youth engagement, and international relations. The objective is to "practically implement" the exchange and cooperation agreement established in Minsk following Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit to Belarus in June 2025, during which he met with Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Vladimir Putin's regime.
Political and Economic Commitments
The document outlines a mutual commitment to coordinate international actions aimed at "strengthening the sovereignty of Belarus and Cuba." It also includes plans for political information exchange, reciprocal visits, and joint activities among youth organizations such as Cuba's Young Communist League and the Iskra youth movement.
According to the PCC, the deal seeks to "support the strengthening of economic, trade, financial, and cooperative relations between the nations," striving to open new avenues for collaboration in strategic sectors, despite Cuba's ongoing economic challenges.
On his social media account, Morales Ojeda emphasized that the agreement aims to "continue deepening interparty links" and foster bilateral relations with Belarus.
A Strategic Alliance Under Moscow's Shadow
The partnership between the Cuban regime and Belarus has intensified over recent years, coinciding with the strengthening of the political and military axis involving Moscow, Minsk, and Havana. During his June visit to Belarus, Díaz-Canel sought new economic agreements with Lukashenko, while millions of Cubans were enduring daily power outages lasting up to 24 hours, along with food and medicine shortages, which have fueled growing social unrest.
In October, a delegation from Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), led by General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Chief of General Staff, traveled to Minsk to discuss modernizing the Cuban military and developing training programs. These initiatives proceed "under Russian supervision," as part of a geopolitical network linking Cuba to Kremlin defense and combat doctrines.
Ideological Diplomacy Amid Internal Collapse
For the Cuban regime, agreements like the one with Belaya Rus reinforce a narrative of "sovereign resistance" and legitimize alliances with authoritarian governments in Eastern Europe. Critics, however, argue that such diplomatic maneuvers do not yield tangible benefits for the population, who continue to suffer from economic collapse and political repression.
Díaz-Canel himself acknowledged during his latest visit to Minsk that developing ties with Belarus is a "priority of Cuban foreign policy." In practice, this priority deepens Havana's reliance on regimes sanctioned by the West, distancing the country from potential partnerships with democratic nations.
The signing of this roadmap, portrayed by official media as a step towards "friendship between sovereign peoples," underscores the ideological direction of the Cuban government: pursuing symbolic political alliances while the internal crisis drives thousands into exile and disillusionment.
Understanding the Impact of Cuba-Belarus Relations
What is the purpose of the roadmap signed between Cuba and Belarus?
The roadmap aims to strengthen interparty cooperation and expand economic and political ties between Cuba and Belarus, focusing on areas like politics, economics, youth engagement, and international relations.
How might this agreement affect the Cuban population?
While the agreement is intended to foster economic cooperation, critics argue that it may not lead to tangible benefits for the Cuban people, who are currently facing economic hardships and political repression.
What is the significance of the Cuba-Belarus relationship?
The relationship signifies a strategic alliance under Moscow's influence, aligning Cuba with Belarus and further integrating them into a geopolitical network linked to Russia's defense and combat doctrines.