Posted on 07/11/2014 3:30:15 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
HAVANA (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to help revive Cuba's struggling offshore oil exploration on Friday at the start of a six-day tour of Latin America as Russia aims to reassert its influence on the communist-ruled island.
Putin was joined in Havana by close ally and so-called Russian oil czar Igor Sechin, the chairman of state oil company Rosneft, to finalise a deal to explore for oil off Cuba's northern coast.
The Russian president also promised to reinvest $3.5 billion of Cuban debt with Russia into development projects on the island, part of a deal in which Russia forgave 90 percent of Cuba's debt, or almost $32 billion, most of it originating from Soviet loans to a fellow communist state.
Both measures inject much-needed foreign investment into Cuba and demonstrate an act of defiance against the United States, which maintains a 52-year-old economic embargo that effectively shuts out many Western companies from doing business in Cuba.
"We will provide support to our Cuban friends to overcome the illegal blockade of Cuba," Putin said.
Putin's journey to the back yard of the United States comes as he is under pressure from the West to help restrain pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine and urge them to find a negotiated solution.
Sechin is one of the Russian executives the United States has targeted for economic sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. The United States has blacklisted individuals believed to be part of Putin's inner circle, and Sechin is among the most influential people in Russia.
(Excerpt) Read more at uk.reuters.com ...
Cuban’s northern coast region is called “FLORIDA”.
I like the first photo of Putin, Raul Castro and their butler.
Photo #2. Goosestepping soldier in from of them. PhotoOp - Priceless. Che with a hole in his head/hat - PRICELESS
Photo #3: Raul Castro - I looked into Putin’s eyes and saw no soul. My word, he’s just like me and Fidel.
Putin to Raul - “We’re backkkkk!!
Umm,,,ahh,,,Mr. Obama, you may want to have one of ‘your people’ take a good look at what Vlad is doing only a short Burro’s Ride away from Miami. Or is this part of how you’re more flexible now, in your second term? With every pillar of American society falling down at once, who’s gonna notice little old Cuba’s antics? Is that crazy Castro still around chewing sugar cane fibers?
Undoubtedly, much of the drilling will be done near the Florida coast in an area off limits to U.S. drilling per Obama. And, he will be paralyzed in decision making in response to it as he always is about everything else.
Outfoxed by Putin again.
Ping.
Back in the USSR....
Ping.
Venezuela is wondering why they weren’t part of that.
There will be not a word of protest from environmentalists on this. Not a word.
Well!At least Cuba won’t have to worry about the EPA.They can have as many oil spills as they like.
So Putin is offering to help drill for oil off our shores, Putin is pledging support to Israel, Putin is active in the Ukraine.
Big world affairs going on, but our little gumbo is shooting pool, guzzling beer and planning his next vacation. Not a care in the world for his gumboness.
What, me worry!
Say hello to my little friend...
After that, Cupet made deals with Canadian and Norwegian companies until finally in 2006 there was a big rush to drill there.
That's when all stories about "China drilling off of Florida" began
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