Russia Warships in Cuba: US Sends Attack Submarine to Guantanamo Bay for 'Routine Visit'

Just one day after warships from Russia, including a nuclear submarine, arrived in the port of Havana in Cuba, a US attack submarine also arrived on the island, in Guantanamo Bay, which is also in Cuba but under US control. However, the US government insists that the submarine's arrival there is only part of a "routine visit" and not because of the Russian warships.

The US Southern Command stated that the US submarine's arrival in Guantanamo Bay was part of a "routine port visit" and that "the vessel's location and transit were previously planned." The US nuclear-powered fast attack submarine was identified as the USS Helena.

The sub was already scheduled to go to Cuba even before the US learned of the Russian naval plans to send its warships to the Caribbean, said one US Southern Command official, adding that the Navy saw "no reason to alter previously planned, routine activity in response to Russian activity in the region."

However, the Miami Herald pointed out that the timing and optics of a US nuclear submarine arriving in Cuba around the same time is being seen as "another effort to send a message of strength to the Kremlin."

As for the Russian warships in Cuba, they conducted naval exercises near US waters before heading to the port of Havana where they are expected to stay for a few days. They are then expected to cross the Caribbean and sail to Venezuela, another key ally to Moscow.

While this is happening, US warships are expected to follow the Russian naval flotilla, including three destroyers, a Coast Guard cutter, and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. These ships have been monitoring the small Russian fleet since it entered the Western Hemisphere and sailed within 30 miles of Florida's coast.

Russia Sending Warships to Cuba May Be Response to US Sending Aid to Ukraine

As to why Russia sent its warships near US territorial waters, this may be because the US recently sent aid to Ukraine and has authorized the country to use US-made weapons to strike Russian soil for the first time since the Russians invaded.

Russia sending warships to allies Cuba and Venezuela are not uncommon, according to the Associated Press. However, with the US sending aid to Ukraine, this has certainly raised plenty of questions as Russia has sought to project its naval strength even after the massive losses its Black Sea fleet suffered at the hands of the Ukrainians.

US Says Russia Warships in Cuba 'No Threat'

The Pentagon has repeatedly dismissed the presence of the Russian warships, but they said that they are taking the situation very seriously, according to the BBC.

"We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States," said the Pentagon in a statement, even as the Russian warships remain at anchor just 90 miles from Florida.

The Russian fleet includes a nuclear submarine and a missile frigate. While the sub is not carrying nukes, it and the missile frigate are carrying various advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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