Defence Minister views sending Canadian Ship to Cuba alongside Russian Vessels as a Strategic Move
National Defence Minister Bill Blair has stated that the decision to send a Canadian ship to dock alongside a Russian fleet in Cuba was a carefully planned move to increase Canada’s presence in the region.
“This week, we have strategically chosen to enhance our naval presence in the region,” reads a statement from the Department of Defence (DND) on June 16. “We believe that this was an especially significant moment to demonstrate Canadian presence.”
On June 12, four Russian naval vessels arrived in Cuba for military drills amid escalating tensions with the United States and its allies over the Ukraine War. While anchored just 145 km from Florida, the Pentagon reassured that the exercises posed no threat to the United States.
Prior to arriving in Cuba, two Russian ships conducted missile drills in the Atlantic Ocean, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
A spokesperson from DND mentioned that the HMCS Ville de Quebec, a Canadian warship, along with a CP-140 patrol plane, had been monitoring the Russian fleet and that the military had publicized the port visit.
Canadian Joint Operations Command announced on social media that the visit to Havana from June 14 to 17 was a testament to the enduring relationship between Canada and Cuba.
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Following Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s statement on a June 13 CBC News interview expressing her unawareness of the Canadian patrol vessel’s presence in Havana alongside Russian warships, Mr. Blair made his remarks.
“I must delve deeper into this. This information is new to me,” Ms. Joly remarked.
The Canadian government’s decision to send ships to Cuba received criticism from Conservative MPs, with Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre denouncing the visit as “reckless, radical, and dangerous,” particularly in a time when the Canadian Armed Forces lack resources.
Historically, Canada has maintained a warmer relationship with Cuba compared to the United States. After the Cuban revolution in 1959, Canada and Mexico were the only two countries to maintain ties with Cuba. Mr. Trudeau’s first official visit to Cuba in 2016 aimed to strengthen bilateral relations.
In contrast, the United States has pursued policies to isolate Cuba economically and diplomatically due to its historical alignments with the Soviet Union and later with Russia.
Contributions from The Canadian Press.
