Russian leader Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia is ready to provide the “most advanced types of weapons” to its allied nations, including the socialist regimes in Latin America, in a move to expand Russia’s arms trade with its allies.
“Russia sincerely cherises the historical strong, friendly, truly trusting ties with the states of Latin America, Asia, and Africa and is ready to offer its partners and allies the most modern types of weapons. From small arms to armored vehicles and artillery, combat aircrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles,” Putin said in remarks given at the opening of the Army-2022 International Military and Technical Forum held outside the city of Moscow.
While not directly naming a specific nation in his speech, Putin has continuously provided his ideological allies in Latin America — Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua — with both firearms and military “cooperation,” strengthening the power of these authoritarian regimes and ensuring an ever-growing military influence of Russia in the region.
Russia announced in January that it would strengthen the cooperation with these three rogue nations “in all areas,” including military.
