Executive Summary
Russia has intensified its engagement with several Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, building on Soviet-era ties and opposition to U.S. influence. This engagement, driven by political, military, and economic objectives, aims to project power, undermine U.S. interests, and diversify economic linkages. While Russia's activities do not pose a direct high-intensity threat, they create persistent, asymmetric challenges to U.S. influence and regional stability, especially when converging with actions by China and Iran.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense and geopolitical analysts as it details Russia's persistent and evolving strategy to expand influence in the Western Hemisphere, directly challenging U.S. interests and regional stability.
Key Takeaways
- Russia has deepened military, informational, and economic ties with key authoritarian partners like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, despite global isolation and the Ukraine war.
- Russian activities, including intelligence operations, information warfare, and economic diversification efforts, aim to undermine U.S. influence and project Moscow's global reach.
- The convergence of Russian, Chinese, and Iranian activities in LAC poses a significant, asymmetric challenge to U.S. hemispheric interests, requiring a robust strategic response.
Strategic Relevance
Russia's sustained engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly with anti-U.S. regimes, represents a strategic effort to project power into the U.S. sphere of influence, divert U.S. resources, and challenge the unipolar world order. This creates a persistent, low-intensity strategic competition that impacts regional stability and U.S. national security.