Russia has agreed to join the search for oil in deep waters between Cuba and Florida, thereby reviving fears among Americans of a possible environmental catastrophe – a large oil spill. Last month, under the supervision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian companies Rosneft and Zarubezhneft signed an agreement with Cuba on the exploration of offshore oil deposits off the coast of Cuba.
The agreement also covers the construction of the equipment of offshore drilling rigs in the Cuban port of Mariel, as well as the creation of a pipeline network and a helipad.
The drilling area is located north from Havana, on both sides of the Gulf Stream. State Department spokesman has already announced that the US officials “expressed their concerns” to Cuba and its partners, however, the United States cannot do anything to stop drilling in Cuban waters.
Certain US politicians were not as calm as their colleagues. Thus, US Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, a leading critic of the Castro regime, said the growing relationship “has damaged US interests and invited cronies of Putin’s oil and security industries to our doorstep.” He as well as many other officials believes that this agreement reflects Putin’s support to countries that had at one time, close ties with the Soviet Union. Undoubtedly, this move recreates the Russian presence in 90 miles from Florida. Cuba, which once relied on the patronage of the Soviets, now restores close ties with Russia.
Full article: US alarmed with Russia-Cuba oil exploration (The Voice of Russia)
Global Geopolitics 