Cuba doubly appreciated the gesture of the Russian government. (Photo: ACN)
By Roberto Morejón
Six months after the arrival in Havana of one of the initial shipments of humanitarian aid from Russia to Cuba because of COVID-19 , a new flight arrived, this time with about 20 tons of medical supplies and drugs.
Since that date, it has been frequent to see Russian planes on the Havana runway with useful supplies, in tune with the excellent relations between the Slavic and Antillean countries.
For the Cubans, the assistance is welcome, since they are facing severe material limitations, due to the heavy expenses in the confrontation with Covid-19 and the intensified siege by the United States.
It should not go unnoticed that the most recent aid delivery finds Russia in a tense situation.
The West, led by the United States, unleashed an obsessive international campaign to present the Eurasian nation on the verge of realizing what it calls "plans to invade Ukraine".
Even in this atmosphere, aggravated by the danger of NATO's expansion towards the east, Russia has found the means to continue its aid to the largest of the Antilles, knowing that it is going through difficult times.
Presidents Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba and Vladimir Putin of Russia spoke by telephone this week about their close friendship, cooperation plans in civilian sectors and foreign policy coordination in international events.
At the same time, there was no lack of glimpses in the hegemonic press to insert the coordination of contribution projects between Russia and Cuba into the fabric of the very thorny global relations.
But the leaders of both countries spoke about the good state of bilateral ties, a nuance that has been perceptible for a long time, hence it does not have to be associated with the conjuncture in other scenarios.
Havana and Moscow are waiting for the world health crisis and the resulting economic imbalances to allow them to resume important economic undertakings already signed.
Even with the pandemic, and in view of the meticulous security designed in Cuba to reopen its borders to international tourism, Russian vacationers travel by the thousands to Varadero and other sun and beach destinations, open all year round thanks to the benevolent climate.
Cubans and Russians are hoping that global peace can take hold and that mutual contributions can increase.
