Khaberni - Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev began his visit to Cuba on Tuesday, where he is holding "bilateral meetings", according to the Russian Embassy in Havana, at a time when the United States is intensifying its pressure on the communist island.
The embassy said on social media that the minister "will hold a series of bilateral meetings", clarifying in a message accompanied by a video of Kolokoltsev’s arrival that Cuban Interior Minister Alberto Alvarez welcomed him at Havana Airport.
Russian Ambassador in Havana, Viktor Koronelli, said on X: "I am pleased to welcome to Havana Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, who arrived on Monday evening to the brotherly Republic of Cuba to enhance bilateral cooperation and fight crime".
In an interview with the state-run "Russia-1" channel from the Cuban capital’s airport, Kolokoltsev reiterated Moscow's stance on the US military operation in early January in Caracas, which led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. He said: "In Russia, we consider this act an unjustified armed aggression against Venezuela". He added, "This act cannot be justified under any circumstances, and it reaffirms the need to enhance vigilance and unify efforts to confront external factors", without further details.
The visit of the Russian minister comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has escalated his threats against Cuba, following the military operation in Venezuela. During this operation, 32 Cuban soldiers, some from Maduro's security guard, were killed.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel denied the truth of what Trump announced regarding ongoing talks between Cuba and the United States.
Russia and Cuba have strengthened their relations since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
During Russian Minister Kolokoltsev's previous visit to Havana in 2023, he was received by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former Cuban leader, Raul Castro.
