Raisi’s Latin America Tour Closes in Cuba

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi stopped in Havana, Cuba’s capital, on Thursday, meeting with the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel on the third and final day of his visit to Latin America.

The visit, which also included stops in Venezuela and Nicaragua, aimed to strengthen ties and explore avenues of economic cooperation between Iran and its allies in the region.

During a trade forum held in Havana, Raisi expressed his desire for collaboration between Cuba and Iran in various sectors, including biotechnology, mining, and electricity generation.

"I hope this meeting will help facilitate integration as well as an exchange of ideas and opinions," Raisi said.

In contrast to his visits to Nicaragua and Venezuela, Raisi refrained from making strong public remarks against the United States or US sanctions imposed on Iran and its partners. Instead, the focus remained on fostering economic ties and enhancing bilateral relations.

Following the trade forum, Raisi and Diaz-Canel toured biotechnology production plants in Havana's western region. Later, they attended a closed-door reception at Cuba's Palace of the Revolution.

Raisi's Latin America tour coincides with fluctuating tensions between Iran and the administration of US President Joe Biden.

When asked about the visit, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby refrained from commenting on Raisi's agenda but acknowledged concerns regarding Iran's "destabilizing behavior" and vowed the US administration will "continue to take steps to mitigate that behavior."

Prior to his meeting with President Ortega, President Raisi visited Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who also preside over countries grappling with economic sanctions imposed by the United States.