Russia threatens to “destabilize” the Americas, accused the head of US diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean on Wednesday, who warned that Washington “will take measures” to defend its interests.
“There have been threats, not even veiled, by senior Russian officials, who would be trying to take advantage of their alliances” in the Americas to “destabilize” the region, said Brian Nichols during an event organized by the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington.
“This is unacceptable and we will take action to defend our national security and national interests,” he added.
Russia has recently embarked on a diplomatic deployment in Latin America, the area of influence of the United States, in search of allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received his Brazilian counterpart, Jair Bolsonaro, in Moscow, where he had previously met with Argentine President Alberto Fernández.
Putin has three allies in the region (Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua), who sided with him when he launched the invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, the United States Southern Command presented a document to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) in which it states that Russia “continues to destabilize the region and undermine democracy” through disinformation, with “hundreds of articles that distort the security actions of the United States”.
“Russia’s relationship with its key regional partners – Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua – allows Moscow to expand its air and sea access to project military power in the region,” it adds.
