Russia close to granting Cuba 38 million euro loan to buy arms

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

NOVEMBER 2, 2018 / 8:20 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

Denis Pinchuk, Andrew Osborn
3 MIN READ

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is close to agreeing a 38-million-euro loan to Cuba to help it buy Russian-made arms, a deputy finance minister said on Friday, after President Vladimir Putin met Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Moscow.

Russia’s Kommersant newspaper had previously reported that Moscow planned to grant Cuba a loan of more than $50 million to allow it to buy Russian hardware such as tanks, armoured vehicles and possibly military helicopters.

Under Putin, Russia has sought to revive relations and deepen its influence in Latin America, particularly with countries wary of U.S. influence such as Cuba where friendly ties with Moscow date back to the Soviet era.

Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said a Cuban military delegation would visit Russia in two weeks when he expected a loan-for-hardware deal to be signed. Russian news agencies reported that Cuban Defence Minister General Leopoldo Cintra Frias would be part of the delegation.



Read more: https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-russia-cuba/russia-close-to-granting-cuba-38-million-euro-loan-to-buy-arms-idUKKCN1N71IF?rpc=401&

[left-of-center2012]

1. We have Trump to thank for this ...

"Putin told a news conference that Russia would build a ground station in Cuba ...(and) a loan of more than $50 million to allow Cuba to buy Russian hardware such as tanks, armored vehicles and possibly military helicopters."

Obama tried to improve relations with Cuba.
Trump destroys everything Obama tried to do.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

2. Most important, Cuba has sought normalization of relations since 1959.

But, both parties pander to the most extreme RW Miamicubano “exile” elements of the Cuban diaspora.

Really sad, that, yet again, we are strong arming Cuba back into Russia’s sway.

[Coventina]

4. + million n/t

[GatoGordo]

3. Its a gift. Not a loan

Cuba cannot pay a single Cuban Peso (worthless outside of Cuba) towards this military largesse. They have nothing to barter, as Cuba exports only raw sugar, black market pharmaceuticals and fake doctors, which Putin doesn't need.

The military hardware that Cuba will receive is archaic (1970's vintage AA missiles very likely) and Russia is most likely getting rid of it anyway. You don't get much value in military hardware for the paltry sum of $50 million. A single Soviet-era MI-24 Hind helicopter would set them back $15 million before spare parts. A single MIG-29 (1981 Soviet vintage) goes for $25 million.

Diaz-Canel and Putin are taking a dig at Uncle Sam. Pure symbolism.

[allgood33]

5. Cuba doesn't need arms. They need food and infrastructure rebuilding.

Russia is just using them as poke at Trump. If they really wanted to help Cuba they would help build housing, growing food, and fixing damage by decades of hurricanes.