Minister defends Canadian navy ship's visit to Cuba with Russian vessels in port

[Judi Lynn]

3. Blair defends navy's Cuba visit, says critics may be 'confused' about its purpose

Blair defends navy's Cuba visit, says critics may be 'confused' about its purpose
National Defence Minister Bill Blair

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
Published Monday, June 17, 2024 11:38PM EDT

Defence Minister Bill Blair says he was acting on advice from the military when he approved a plan to send a Canadian ship to Cuba, but he can't disclose the classified advice he was given about why the navy wanted to take part in the mission.

The trip, which is getting attention this week because the Canadian navy ship was there at the same time as a Russian flotilla, was made after a request by the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Joint Operations Command.

The federal government was aware that Russian vessels would be in the area at the same time, Blair said.
He said the Russian ships in Havana pose "no immediate threat" to Canada or Canadians, and Canada's trip was meant to demonstrate its "presence, naval capability and commitment to safe and open waters in the Americas."

. . .

In an earlier press release, the navy said HMCS Margaret Brooke was being deployed to Havana to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations with Cuba. The ship is now on its way back to Canada.

More:
https://www.cp24.com/news/blair-defends-navy-s-cuba-visit-says-critics-may-be-confused-about-its-purpose-1.6930832