Photos: @PresidenciaCuba

By Roberto Morejón

Two high-ranking Russian government officials have visited Cuba in recent days, in separate groups, as an expression of the importance of bilateral relations.

The most recent visit was that of Lieutenant General Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergency Situations, an outstanding entity in the cooperation between Moscow and Havana to contribute to face contingencies and accidents.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations stands out for its support to the specialized training of Cuban firefighters and rescue groups, who in recent times have fought in the face of events of great excitement.

Emergency situations in the largest of the Antilles are also illustrated by the passage of hurricanes, which have been frequent in recent years, as exemplified by the passage of Oscar and Rafael in less than a month.

As a timely thank you to the visitor, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, upon receiving Kurenkov, remarked: "We always see Russia's hand of solidarity supporting Cuba".

The Russian minister, who donated firefighting motorcycles, water filters and sanitary bags, reiterated his support for the Cuban-Russian Regional Fire and Rescue Training Center in Havana.

It is a high-level platform for training personnel in risky tasks and with technical knowledge, not only for the Caribbean nation.

Prior to the trip of the Russian head of the Emergency Situations, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Eurasian nation, Dmitry Chernyshenko, stopped in Havana to participate in a meeting of the Russia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission.

These meetings are crucial for adjusting trade and other exchanges within the framework of development plans until 2030.

In light of the meeting, it was reported that the Slavic country will send to the Caribbean nation spare parts for thermoelectric plants, which are affected by their obsolescence and lack of capital maintenance.

Moscow will send fuel and equipment to Cuba, in what is interpreted as a cardinal assistance in a period of hydrocarbon deficit and two disconnections of the national electro-energy system.

The visits of the two high-ranking Russian officials take place in a difficult context for Cuba, whose economy is suffering losses due to the tightening of the US blockade and its inclusion in a list of countries considered by the White House as sponsors of terrorism.

In the face of devastating hurricanes and unusual telluric movements, the Antillean nation gratefully receives friendly hands.