With this aid, the Cuban government hopes that Havana will overcome the "serious" consequences of the economic blockade imposed by the United States.

Russia plans to provide new credit lines to Cuba to help Havana overcome the serious consequences of the US blockade, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday (10.09.2024).

"Russia will take additional measures to support Havana, in particular by granting new credit lines," Shoigu said during a meeting with Cuban Interior Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez in St. Petersburg.

Shoigu, a former Russian defense minister, added that Cuba is one of Russia's closest allies in Latin America and recalled that relations between the two countries have stood "the test of time."

"We are ready to increase cooperation within the framework of security councils, special services and police departments. We pay special attention to trade, economic and investment cooperation," he stressed.

He also expressed his hope that Havana would overcome the "serious" consequences of the economic blockade imposed by the United States with the help of Russia.

Expectations rise after arrival of Russian submarine

In June, a detachment of the Russian Navy with a modern frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine arrived on the island, causing great excitement both inside and outside the country.

Political, military and economic relations between Moscow and Havana have deepened qualitatively in recent years.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited Moscow in early May, his second official visit in less than two years. Subsequently, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas made separate trips to the Slavic country.

On the economic front, the two countries have made notable initiatives ranging from Russian donations to advisory missions on reforms, to the opening of a line of credit for the island to buy wheat, oil and fertilizers from Russia.

Travels by senior military officials are also frequent, but completely opaque.