In a sign of growing ties, Russian warships make new visit to Cuban waters

A fisherman reels in his fishing rod as the patrol boat “Neustrahimiy” arrives for a “working visit”, in the bay of Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

HAVANA (AP) — Three Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters on Saturday, Moscow’s second sea voyage in as many months and a reflection of growing ties between Russia and Cuba.

The naval group, which includes a training ship, patrol frigate and tanker, is expected to remain docked in the Cuban port of Havana until Aug. 30. The ships’ arrival comes just weeks after another squadron of Russian warships, including a powerful nuclear-powered submarine, visited Havana as part of planned military exercises last month.

U.S. officials closely monitored the mid-June military exercises and said the group of four ships posed no real threat. At the time, experts described the warships’ tour of the Caribbean as a symbolic show of strength in response to continued U.S. and Western support for Ukraine.

Cuban defense officials announced the latest port call earlier this week, calling the arrival of the Russian warships a “historic practice” and a sign of “friendship and cooperation.” But neither government provided details about the purpose of the latest deployment.

The flotilla’s arrival has caused a stir among the general public. On Saturday, Cubans strolled along the harbor lane to get a better look at the warships. Authorities said interested visitors would be allowed to board the Russian training ship, named Smolny, on Sunday and Monday.

“It’s a friendship thing. A bond between Russia and Cuba,” said 29-year-old spectator Maydelis Perez, pointing out the massive warships to her three children. “I’m going out with the family.”

Russia has long been an ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have made periodic forays into the Caribbean and docked in Havana. While Cuba is not a major player in Russian foreign policy, experts say Russia sees Cuba as strategically important given its continued influence among developing countries.

Cuba and Russia, both under heavy U.S. sanctions, have strengthened their political and economic ties in recent years, largely as Moscow seeks to increase diplomatic support for its war in Ukraine and Havana seeks all the economic help it can get.

Cuba has consistently abstained from UN resolutions on the invasion of Ukraine and avoided criticizing Moscow’s war. Russia has sold significant amounts of oil to Cuba, which is struggling under Washington’s economic embargo.