Russian foreign minister visits Cuba, reaffirms strong ties

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Hours after Miguel Diaz-Canel took office as president of Cuba on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov landed in Havana, the latest stop on his tour of Latin America, which began in Brazil last Monday and has also taken him to Venezuela and Nicaragua.

On Thursday, Lavrov met with Diaz-Canel and with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, to whom the Russian diplomat voiced Moscow's disagreement with the world having to go forward "under the rules set by the United States," which he said tries to "impose its will to undermine other countries".

Rodriguez thanked his Russian counterpart for reaffirming their support of the resolution adopted every year by the UN General Assembly that calls for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US.

"We confirmed the excellent state of bilateral ties and the common willingness to continue strengthening them in all spheres, for the mutual benefit of our peoples," Rodriguez published on his Twitter account after the meeting.

The Cuban foreign minister said that the expansion of NATO towards Russia's borders is the main cause of the current conflict in Europe. He also condemned the sanctions and isolation policy imposed against Russia.

Lavrov thanked the Cuban government for its "full understanding" of the conflict in Ukraine.

"We appreciate that from the very beginning of the special military operation our Cuban friends... they have clearly stated their position and expressed their full understanding in their assessments of the reasons that led to the current situation," Lavrov said during a meeting with Rodriguez.

On the same day of Lavrov's arrival on the Caribbean island, the US embassy in Havana illuminated its facade with blue and yellow lights of the Ukrainian flag.

"Tonight, the US Embassy in Havana is once again illuminated in the colors of Ukraine to demonstrate our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. Russia continues its brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," the embassy posted on Twitter.

The visit will promote cooperation treaties in political and commercial cooperation in the island as it battles shortages of food, medicines and fuel. Hours-long daily blackouts in Cuba's largest cities have sparked protests.

The Cuban government has accused US sanctions of the country's economic crisis, which were tightened under former President Donald Trump.​​​​​​​