The visit of the Russian Interior Minister, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, to Havana has earned the covers of the official Cuban press, although It’s the Russian part which has allowed us to know the few concrete details of a meeting that leaves, as the most relevant news, Moscow’s offer for Cuban agents to expand their training in a Russian training center in Nicaragua.
Kolokoltsev was received with honors, since his bilateral meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, was followed by a reception with the president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and another with General Raúl Castro, who reserves himself for big occasions. . Of both appointments and other protocol acts informa with profusion the press of the Communist Party of Cuba, which, however, does not give details of what was agreed between both ministries of the Interior.
Through the Russian media it was learned that Moscow also offered “methodological and consultative” assistance to the Cuban agents and informed the Island of the two priorities it has set: the fight against “extremism” and the prevention of “interference.” .
Kolokoltsev stated that the International Criminal Police Organization or International Police (Interpol) is violating its article number three
Kolokoltsev stated that the International Criminal Police Organization or International Police (Interpol) is violating its article number three, which indicates that “any activity or intervention in questions or matters of a political, military, religious or racial nature is strictly prohibited.”
Moscow considers that the West violates this article by interfering in the internal sphere of some countries and that, under a false argument of “guaranteeing security”, it seeks to achieve its own political objectives. “The protection of citizens takes a backseat,” said Kolokoltsev, who has asked both Cuba and the rest of its allies to unite to confront “Western approaches.”
Russia did not offer details of what it considers “extremism”, but recalled that there were representatives of the Island at a meeting – the third of its kind – held in Moscow last September and known as the International Conference on the Problem of the Diffusion of Ideology. of Extremism. According to what Kolokoltsev said this Wednesday, his department will provide the “expert” support that is necessary in this area, with which he will share reference materials and train Cuban specialists.
To understand what Russia means by this concept, it is worth remembering that the UN Commission on Human Rights has warned that the legislation is “so broad that the public expression of political opinions, as well as ideological positions opposed to the political order, established social or economic status could also be included in this definition. Under this law, which includes a list of organizations and materials –most of them artistic works–, LGTBI activism is prohibited from Facebook or WhatsApp.
Under this law, which includes a list of organizations and materials –most of them artistic works–, LGTBI activism is prohibited from Facebook or WhatsApp.
For the rest, at the meeting the fight against drug trafficking and cybercrime, both closely linked, was abundantly addressed – or so it has emerged –. Kolokoltsev highlighted the growth in the production and distribution of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, in addition to the use of cyberspace for distribution and cryptocurrencies for laundering.
Russia, whose use of networks for interference in different destabilization processes electoral and social crisis in the West has been amply demonstrated, he protested the use of the Internet and social networks to “spread dangerous content, ideological attacks and recruit new followers” and accused Western special services of controlling “Ukrainian call centers” to “flooding” Russia with phone calls and crime reports.
Kolokoltsev called on the Cuban side to join his plan to ensure information security, an area for which Moscow has created a specialized department that is increasing its technical and methodological capacity.
The Russian minister delighted the Cuban leaders with his statements against the “illegitimate and inhuman commercial, economic and financial blockade of Liberty Island” by the United States, which he accused of subjecting Russia to a similar situation, with the connivance of its allies (in reference to Europe and NATO). Kolokoltsev stressed that the interaction between Russian and Cuban law enforcement is not influenced by the political situation, although contact and regular exchanges have increased through a representative of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior in Moscow.
The Russian minister delighted the Cuban leaders with his statements against the “illegitimate and inhuman commercial, economic and financial blockade of Liberty Island”
In the last year, relations between Cuba and Russia have tightened to the limit. Although the friendship dates back to most of Vladimir Putin’s mandate, when economic and commercial exchanges increased – without reaching the level of the extinct Soviet Union – it was not until Moscow, isolated after the invasion of Ukraine, has reinforced the links, interested in the Island being its gateway to Latin America, along with Nicaragua and Venezuela to a lesser extent.
Bilateral trade has tripled in just one year, especially due to shipments of oil and derivatives, Russian tourism is the only one that could reach pre-pandemic data, several Russian businesses and companies have announced openings on the Island and its nationals are the only privileged people who can have lands in usufruct for 30 years – a right reserved for Cubans until now – and all kinds of tax exemptions.
Boris Titov, president of the Cuba-Russia Business Council and Putin’s trusted man, is currently considered the intellectual leader of opening in the Cuban private sector, destined largely to the circle of trust of the Cuban regime, in the image and likeness of what happened in your country with the Russian oligarchies.
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