On Tuesday, Russia’s parliament approved a military cooperation agreement with Cuba, solidifying a partnership that could potentially aid in their ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a related move, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro announced a strengthened “strategic partnership” with Russia, a step that might enhance Moscow’s influence in the Americas, countering U.S. presence in the region.
As reported by Russian news outlet Tas, both houses of parliament ratified a deal that establishes a framework for understanding the objectives and types of military collaboration, hinting that informal cooperation has been ongoing. This agreement seems less formal than a mutual defense pact Russia signed with North Korea in June 2024, which was later acknowledged to involve North Korean troops on Ukrainian soil.
Military analyst Alexander Stepanov commented that the agreement with Cuba serves as a reaction to U.S. support for Ukraine, especially concerning the potential provision of Tomahawk missiles. He stated, “This is about responding symmetrically to the possible supply of Tomahawks. The ratification will expand our military collaboration and enable the deployment of various offensive systems on Cuban soil, coordinated with the Cuban government as part of our bilateral exchanges.”
Notably absent from Stepanov’s commentary is the reality that Ukraine has already detained Cuban nationals fighting for Russia. Back in March 2024, a man named Frank Dario Jarosei Manfuga, mistakenly believing he was engaging in construction work, ended up in Ukrainian territory and was captured. He later expressed surprise at finding himself fighting for Russia.
During a House hearing in September, Ukrainian military intelligence official Andriy Yusov estimated roughly 20,000 Cubans are currently involved in the conflict on Russia’s side.
“Cuba is a primary source of foreign combatants,” he asserted, pointing to intelligence that indicates thousands of Cubans are being drafted to assist Russia.
Congressman Marian Zabrodsky, who previously revealed the estimate of 20,000 Cuban fighters, added that significant support for Russia’s invasion comes from nations like Iran, Cuba, and North Korea, all of which the U.S. labels as state sponsors of terrorism.
“Without military backing from state sponsors of terrorism, Russia’s aggression would likely have halted,” Zabrodsky contended, urging congressional members to investigate the implications of this support and to consider creating laws to limit such assistance.
In response, Ukraine has embarked on a significant diplomatic initiative in Latin America, establishing embassies in countries like the Dominican Republic and Uruguay as a countermeasure against Russia’s ties with left-leaning governments in the region.
The military agreement with Russia stands distinct from Maduro’s “strategic partnership,” yet both relate due to Cuba and Venezuela’s close political ties. Maduro unveiled this cooperation decree, alongside Russian Ambassador Sergei Melik Bagdasarov, marking a formal step in their collaboration.
On October 7, during a meeting with Maduro, an official decree regarding the Russia-Venezuela partnership was signed, with local media indicating this agreement aims to bolster commerce and investment mechanisms that circumvent the Western financial system.
Historically, Venezuela has been a venue for Russian military threats against the U.S.; in 2018, it was reported that Russia would establish a military base in Venezuela. That same year, nuclear-capable jets were deployed close to U.S. territory.
Additionally, in June, Venezuela signed a cybersecurity pact with Russia and over ten other countries, including Cuba and North Korea.
