Russia Warships Leave Cuba, Head to Venezuela Next

The warships sent by Russia to the Caribbean for military exercises have finally left the port of Havana and could possibly head to Russian ally Venezuela next. The warships were sent to the Caribbean after US President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike Russian soil.

The Russian warships conducted military drills in the Atlantic, just miles away from US territory. It then headed to Cuba for a 5-day visit. It is made up of the missile frigate "Gorshkov," the nuclear-powered submarine "Kazan," the tanker "Pashin," and the tug "Nikolai Chiker."

While the small Russian fleet, which the US government says was "no threat," was not carrying any nuclear weaponry, they were carrying hypersonic missiles and other advanced weaponry.

On Saturday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel set foot inside the missile frigate "Gorshkov" and met with the sailors, according to the Associated Press. The vessel was also open to the public while it was docked in the port of Havana. This is a common practice when vessels arrive at the port.

The Russian warships left after Canada and the US sent their own warships to the island. The US fast attack submarine, the USS Helena, arrived in US-occupied Guantanamo Bay for a "routine visit" while the Canadian navy patrol boat Margaret Brooke arrived at Havana Harbor last Friday. It is expected to be welcomed in Venezuela, a very pro-Putin country under dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Canada Sending Warship to Cuba 'Not Related' to Russian Warships in Havana

Meanwhile, Canada stated that the Canadian navy patrol boat Margaret Brooke's arrival in Havana was "a port visit ... in recognition of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Canada and Cuba" and not really because Russia sent warships to Cuba, just miles away from US soil.

A Canadian diplomat stated that the ship visiting Cuba was a s "routine and part of long-standing cooperation between our two countries", and that it was "unrelated to the presence of the Russian ships."

As for the US nuclear attack submarine that arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuban officials were not very happy and condemned its visit, even after the US explained it was part of a "routine visit" to the US-controlled territory.

"Naval visits to a country are usually the result of an invitation, and this was not the case," said Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío. "Obviously we do not like the presence in our territory (of a submarine) belonging to a power that maintains an official and practical policy that is hostile against Cuba."

Canada Defense Minister Talks About Warship Country Sent to Cuba After Russian Warships Arrived

There was some criticism on Canada's part as well, and Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair defended sending its own warship to Cuba after the Russian warships arrived in Havana.

"This was a direct result of a request that was made to me by the commander of joint operations command and the admiral in charge of the Royal Canadian Navy," said Blair in a statement. "The port visit was carefully planned at Canada's request and it was announced by the military in advance

The ship eventually returned to Canadian waters on Monday, according to the CBC.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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