Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev made his way to Havana, Cuba, on Tuesday for an official visit, where he engaged with officials from the Castro regime.
This marks Kolokoltsev’s second trip to Cuba in just over two years, with the last visit occurring in November 2023. His current trip is notable as it’s the first high-ranking Russian official visit to Cuba since a U.S. law enforcement action in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of socialist leader Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores.
As a significant ally of both Cuba and Venezuela, Russia hasn’t provided any tangible support to the Venezuelan socialist government since Maduro’s arrest, aside from official statements. It’s interesting how President Maduro has leveraged supposed Russian support to intimidate the U.S. and ward off any actions against the regime.
During his stay, Kolokoltsev met with the 94-year-old dictator Raul Castro. The Cuban Communist Party’s official publication noted that they discussed the “excellent” relations between Russia and Cuba, expressing a mutual desire to strengthen these ties. Castro took the opportunity to convey “warm greetings” to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Kolokoltsev also had a sit-down with Miguel Diaz-Canel, the figurehead president of the regime. The Cuban presidency’s office characterized the visit of such a senior Russian official as “very important” given the current circumstances.
Furthermore, in light of U.S. pressures on the Venezuelan regime and the successful operation against Maduro, former President Donald Trump has intensified efforts against Cuba, effectively cutting off the communist regime’s access to Venezuelan oil—a lifeline it had enjoyed for over two decades under the socialist allies.
The Cuban government recently hinted at a potential move towards a “state of war,” though they remain vague about the implications of this announcement.
Trump, in a recent post, noted that “there is no oil or money going to Cuba!” and suggested striking an agreement soon to avoid dire consequences.
Kolokoltsev expressed pleasure at his return to “the island of close friends,” while Diaz-Canel mentioned that Kolokoltsev’s previous visit occurred at a time when Cuba was allegedly dealing with a “tightening” blockade—a term the regime has used for years to describe the U.S. embargo. The Cuban administration claimed ongoing smear campaigns and the fallout from being listed among countries alleged to harbor terrorism were affecting their nation.
Díaz-Canel remarked that the situation has become increasingly complex due to the January 3 operation, which he said has significantly impacted their circumstances.
The Cuban regime acknowledged that 32 of its security personnel, who were protecting Maduro in Caracas, were killed during the U.S. military operation. This has led to renewed discussions about Cuba’s historical military involvement in Venezuela going back to the era of Hugo Chávez. It also raised questions about Maduro’s trust in his own security forces.
The remains of these 32 soldiers were returned to Cuba last week in small packages, stirring curiosity about their treatment during the military action.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government hasn’t disclosed specific casualty figures from that operation, though Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab claimed that up to 120 individuals may have died. Recently, drug lord Diosdado Cabello remarked that discussions about casualties were avoided due to the intensity of the explosions, leaving many unaccounted for.
A report from the state-run Cuban News Agency indicated that Kolokoltsev, accompanied by others from the Cuban side, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Firefighter’s Mausoleum in Havana’s Colon Cemetery. Reportedly, the remains of four of those soldiers are currently interred there.
