Russia’s interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Cuba on Tuesday as Washington stepped up pressure on the communist island, which US President Donald Trump said “is ready to fall.”
Earlier this month, Trump warned Havana to “make a deal” or face consequences similar to Venezuela, where leader Nicolas Maduro was removed following a January 3 US bombing raid that killed dozens.
Venezuela, a key ally of Cuba and a vital supplier of oil and financial support, has been singled out by Trump, who has vowed to cut off its assistance.
After landing in Havana, Kolokoltsev told Russian state television that the US action amounted to unjustified, unprovoked armed aggression and said it underscored the need for greater vigilance against external threats.
The Russian embassy said the minister would hold several bilateral meetings, highlighting closer Russia–Cuba ties as both countries face Western sanctions and Moscow seeks partners after invading Ukraine.
Cuba, already enduring its worst economic crisis in decades, is also under renewed US pressure, with Trump warning Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez to comply with Washington’s demands on oil access and relations with US adversaries.
Longtime US foes since Cuba’s 1959 revolution, Havana and Moscow were close during the Cold War, but saw ties fade after the Soviet collapse, and have since rebuilt their partnership.
This handout picture released by ACN (Cuban News Agency) shows, Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev (R) paying tribute to Soviet internationalist soldiers by laying a floral offering at the mausoleum dedicated to these fighters as part of his visit agenda to Cuba, in Havana on January 20, 2026. Russia’s interior minister began a visit on January 19, to ally Cuba, the embassy in Havana said, at a time Washington is increasing pressure on the communist island which US President Donald Trump has said “is ready to fall.” (Photo by Handout / ACN / AFP)
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