The Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), Álvaro López Miera, has returned to Belarus, a strategic ally of Russia, just over a year after a similar visit. López Miera arrived in Minsk, the nation's capital, at the invitation of the head of the Belarusian Department of Defense, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Armed Forces of this Eastern European country.
The visit coincides with the solemn commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of Belarus's liberation from Nazi invaders. The scheduled events include a military parade on Wednesday, July 3, which is expected to feature more than 5,000 soldiers and over 300 pieces of equipment, in addition to elements of the Russian aviation in the parade's aerial segment, confirmed by the official TASS agency.
The Cuban delegation also visited the Brest Hero-Fortress Memorial Complex, where they laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. Last June, López Miera and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin met in Minsk to explore avenues for developing military cooperation between the two countries, as stated in a Belarusian press release.
During the meeting, the ministers "detailed the current state of bilateral military cooperation and ways to continue developing it," the note added. Additionally, Khrenin and López Miera exchanged views on global security, as well as the military and political situation in Europe. "At the end of the discussions, the ministers reiterated their mutual interest in intensifying military contacts," concluded the note.
In January of this year, Khrenin reciprocated the visit to Havana, where bilateral cooperation documents were signed, the details of which were not disclosed. According to analysts and independent media, this agreement further underscores Havana's ceding of sovereignty to Moscow amid the critical backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"This is a law that embodies the will and mandate of the homeland," López Miera stated following the signing of the secret agreement, arrogating legislative powers he does not possess and underscoring the Cuban regime's respect for the so-called "will" of the people, the supposed "sovereign". Belarus, a country heavily involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has strengthened political and economic ties with the Havana regime, making visits by officials from both sides increasingly frequent.
Cuban-Belarusian Military Cooperation: Key Questions Answered
Given the significant nature of the visit and the ongoing military cooperation between Cuba and Belarus, here are some frequently asked questions to provide further insights.
Why did the Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces visit Belarus?
Álvaro López Miera visited Belarus at the invitation of the Belarusian Department of Defense to participate in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of Belarus's liberation from Nazi invaders.
What was the focus of the meeting between the Cuban and Belarusian defense ministers?
The meeting focused on evaluating the current state of bilateral military cooperation and exploring ways to further develop it. They also discussed global security and the military and political situation in Europe.
What significance does this visit hold in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
The visit highlights the deepening ties between Cuba and Belarus, both of which are allies of Russia. Analysts suggest that this cooperation underscores Havana's increasing alignment with Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.