Russia again flexes its nuclear muscles in Cuba

Three Russian ships and a nuclear submarine arrive in Cuba this week — the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the frigate Gorshkov, the fleet oil tanker Pashin and the rescue ship Nikolai Chiker. Although Cuba has said that none of the vessels carries nuclear weapons and this is part of the two countries’ historical bilateral relations, something about this narrative does not quite sit right.

For the last 65 years, the Cuban dictatorship has been one of the main threats to democracy in Latin America and to the security of the U.S. Since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, following the Russian spy base established in Lourdes, the Bejucal facility, and finally with the 2019 chapter involving Chinese espionage, Havana’s regime has continued to open its doors to America’s most dangerous geopolitical enemies.

Cuba is the only country in Latin America that has sent thousands of mercenaries to invade Ukraine under the leadership of the Russian Federation. After the failed rebellion by Wagner mercenaries, Putin has looked to Cuba for more highly trained soldiers to continue his war of aggression against Ukraine. According to Prisoners Defenders, Russia and Cuba have reached an agreement that allows the dictatorship to hold between 75 percent and 95 percent of these soldiers’ income.

Cuba is a desperate dictatorship capable of anything. At home, the Havana regime faces one of its worst crises in 65 years, including 18-hour blackouts, skyrocketing gas prices, food shortages and poor basic services. In this scenario, Russian aid is an alternative that Cuba is willing to take regardless of the consequences.

It is time to reevaluate U.S. strategy towards Cuba. The island was removed from the list of countries that do not contribute enough to the fight against terrorism. Its private sector will receive support to promote small businesses, access to banking and greater internet coverage.

Cuba’s regime has responded to this new policy with more repression, holding more than 1,100 political prisoners and not allowing the exercise of basic civil, political or religious rights.

America’s flexibility is seen by tyrants as weakness. Today more than ever, it is necessary to sanction and pressure the communist regime in Cuba. While the world continues to soften sanctions, this regime continues to squeeze the necks of its own citizens and turn them into useful pawns of Russia’s military strategy.

Given the latest threat from Russia and Cuba, it is essential to strengthen security and defense alliances with democratic countries in Latin America. One example of this was the Southern Seas 2024 joint military exercises in South America and CENTAM Guardian 24 in the Central American region.

Strengthening trade cooperation with the hemisphere is also key. American investment and trade in Latin America is the perfect antidote to the advancement of China and Russia in the control of critical infrastructure (ports, airports, telecommunications and satellite equipment) and strategic natural resources (lithium, copper and oil).

Perhaps Putin is bluffing, as he usually does, exercising his traditional threatening style on geopolitical issues. But in any case, what happened in Ukraine and the missile crisis during the 1960s both showed us that Russia cannot be trusted. Monitoring, analysis and preparation for Russian threats are key for national and hemispheric security.

Arturo McFields Yescas is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan Ambassador and former member of Norwegian Peace Corps.