Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has attributed the arrival of a Russian Navy flotilla—including a nuclear-powered submarine—in the port of Havana to President Joe Biden's "weak stance." During a press conference on Friday, the governor described the Russian presence in Cuban waters as "concerning" and "problematic," asserting that he would not have allowed it.
"We are failing as a nation in our deterrence capabilities, and I believe it starts at the top with the President of the United States," DeSantis stated. "History has shown that these bad actors respond to strength and are deterred by strength. They are not going to be deterred by weakness. They are not going to be deterred by confusion," he added.
DeSantis concluded his remarks with a direct critique of Biden: "They are not going to be deterred by a president wandering aimlessly through the G7," referencing images of the Democratic president at the G7 Summit held this week in Italy.
On Wednesday, June 12, a Russian naval detachment arrived in Cuba, comprising the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker (SB-131), the fleet oiler Pashin, and the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. According to El Nuevo Herald, a federal official told McClatchy and the Herald/Times that the Russian flotilla, on its approach to Havana, passed within 30 nautical miles of Key Largo on Tuesday, staying within international waters but unusually close to the U.S. coast.
The U.S. Department of Defense assured that the Russian warships in Cuban waters do not pose a direct threat to the United States and that the visit is part of routine Russian military exercises. Nonetheless, hours before the flotilla's arrival in Havana, the U.S. government deployed several warships (two destroyers and a Coast Guard ship) and a submarine reconnaissance aircraft to track the flotilla's course.
According to the El Nuevo Herald report, officials told McClatchy that they never lost track of the submarine during its journey to Cuba before it surfaced in the port of Havana.
In line with DeSantis, Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio urged President Biden not to remain idle, reminding that there hasn't been a Russian submarine with nuclear missile capability operating in the Caribbean for over 30 years.
Key Questions About the Russian Naval Presence Near Florida
Given the heightened concern surrounding the Russian naval flotilla near Florida, here are some key questions and answers to help clarify the situation.
Why did the Russian naval flotilla approach so close to the U.S. coast?
The flotilla's approach was part of routine Russian military exercises, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. However, its proximity to the U.S. coast has raised concerns about national security.
What measures did the U.S. take in response to the Russian flotilla?
The U.S. government deployed several warships, including two destroyers and a Coast Guard ship, as well as a submarine reconnaissance aircraft to monitor the flotilla's movements.
How significant is the presence of a Russian nuclear-powered submarine in the Caribbean?
It is highly significant as there hasn't been a Russian submarine with nuclear missile capability operating in the Caribbean for over 30 years, highlighting a potential shift in Russian military strategy.