Russia in the Americas

This picture on the left says a thousand words. The President of Russia is shown lighting a candle in the newly consecrated Russian Orthodox cathedral in Havana, Cuba, while Raul Castro looks on. Dmitry Medvedev's visit to South America was certainly significant for Russia's presence in the Americas. Despite the commentariat's agenda to make it appear that a new USSR is trying to militarize the region, there are several points I think were very significant about Medvedev's visit:

1. Brazil - is one of the so-called "emerging markets" - countries that make up the "B.R.I.C." economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. This is important to note because Brazil and Russia are discussing the process of restructuring the global economy which is just another blow to the global elite and a victory to sovereign nations.

2. Venezuela - While Medvedev was visiting Caracas and Russian naval ships were training with the Venezuelan military, Hugo Chavez held a meeting of the "Bolivarian Movement." This is the left-wing movement that Chavez, Morales and other Latin Americans follow. Although they started as nationalist movements, they merged with leftists during the Cold War. However, Medvedev refused all invitations to participate on this level but instead brought members of the Russian private business community to make business connections in Caracas instead. This means that while Moscow values its relationship with Caracas, it is clear that the Russians came to open up business opportunities and to gain a foothold in the Americas militarily.

3. Cuba - Medvedev took part in the consecration of the Our Lady of Kazan Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Havana. Here again Medvedev is making it clear they are not there for leftist reasons that previously united Castro with the USSR ideologically.