Source: MFARussia.twitter /  Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Minister of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez  Parrilla at news conference in Havana, Cuba  July 24, 2019. 

 By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Biting U.S. sanctions and a sharp drop in aid from economically and politically beleaguered Venezuela has resulted in some rough times for Cuba. Food shortages and  blackouts are becoming the norm in Cuba as U.S. sanctions aimed at the socialist nation’s critically important tourist industry sap tourism revenues and foreign investment. The Cuban government is most likely jittery over the repeated calls by opposition leaders in Venezuela for U.S. military intervention against the regime of Cuba’s key ally Nicholas Maduro.  Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov reassured Cuba that Moscow will  continue boosting military technical and economic cooperation with its socialist counterpart in the Caribbean in a visit to Cub this week. 

“We would like to reaffirm Russia’s commitment to bolstering solidarity in  the face of the unacceptable and crass actions undertaken by the United States against Cuba. Members of the international community in their majority reject the  trade and economic embargo and the threats of new, additional sanctions.”

-Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov

Credit:  mid.ru. /    Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions during a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Havana, Cuba July 24, 2019.

“As for Russia’s position regarding the Republic of Cuba, we are committed to supporting Cuba, the people of Cuba and its leadership in every possible way. This includes political and moral support, and expanding defence cooperation with Cuba, as well as efforts to promote trade and economic projects that will place the country’s economy on a stable footing and ensure its resilience in the face of various external attacks”

-Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Credit: Youtube /  Russian FM promises more economic & military support to Cuba during visit

Lavrov also met Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.  “We discussed regional developments and the situation in Venezuela and around it. We share the opinion that any problems, be they connected with Venezuela or any other country in the region or the world, for that matter, should be addressed absolutely peacefully, by political and diplomatic methods based on the UN Charter and the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and non-use of force or threat of force,” Lavrov told journalists in Havana.

Question: Could you comment in greater detail on your country’s criteria regarding the new US restrictions against Cuba in relation to Title III of the Helms-Burton Act?

Sergey Lavrov: “The criteria have not changed. All sections of this bill, including Title III, are illegitimate and contrary to international law. As I have said, the resolution condemning the trade embargo against Cuba, which is put to a vote at the UN General Assembly every year, usually receives around 190 votes. The United States and several countries that cannot be described as independent usually vote against. The results of this voting cast a bright light on the position of the international community.”

Lavrov’s official visit to Cuba is part of a Latin American tour that will also include Brazil and Suriname.

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