RUSSIA’S LAVROV FLIES TO LATIN AMERICA IN RESPONSE TO POMPEO’S CENTRAL ASIA TOUR

31 January 2020

SOURCE: MID.RU

RUSSIA’S LAVROV FLIES TO LATIN AMERICA IN RESPONSE TO POMPEO’S CENTRAL ASIA TOUR

In early February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will leave for Latin America to visit Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela. Of all his trips, the one to Caracas might be of utmost importance as Venezuela is looking for a stronger alliance with Russia through the latter’s tighter involvement in the Venezuelan oil industry. Lavrov’s tour to Latin America may come as a response to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s earlier trips to the four post-Soviet countries that Moscow considers to be within its traditional sphere of influence. Hence the Russian senior official’s demonstrative visits to the region that borders the United States.

On February 5, Sergey Lavrov is set to make a stop in Santiago de Cuba, where he will meet with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez. The head of the Russian diplomatic agency will then fly to Mexico to hold talks with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on February 6 as Russia is seeking closer cooperation with Mexico. High on the meeting’s agenda will be economic cooperation and possible investments. But the top diplomat’s trip to Caracas might be the most important of all his visits to the Latin American nations. Lavrov will pay a visit to Venezuela on February 7, where he will be welcomed by President Nicolas Maduro. “Opinions will be exchanged on prospects of finding political solutions to internal disagreements based on nationwide