The agreements that Russia has made with countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, to try to expand access to markets and natural resources in Latin America, were identified as “threats to transnational security” of the United States, cites a report unveiled Tuesday by US intelligence chiefs.
According to the evaluation of the US intelligence services, based on the findings of different internal and external agencies, “Russia has increased its commitment to Venezuela” and provided “support” to Cuba using “arms and energy sales agreements” .
Such alliances seek, according to the document, “to try to expand access to markets and natural resources in Latin America.”
Among the other transnational threats described in the report are migration from Central America and Haiti – towards the US-Mexico border – as well as transnational organized crime.
The report, which was presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Scott Berrier, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, outlines the top global threats in 2022, including risks to the United States. representing China, Iran and North Korea.
Russia and the protracted conflict at the center of the debate
Senior intelligence officials warned during their presentation to senators that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine.”
According to the intelligence chief, Moscow “still intends to achieve objectives beyond the Donbass region.”
Haines said it is likely that Putin intends to extend a “Russian land bridge” in Ukraine from the eastern region of Donbas to the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova.
In the coming months, the conflict could enter an increasingly “unpredictable” and “potentially escalating” trajectory, including decision-making to this in Russia, Haines noted.
Los Russian setbacks in Ukraine may weaken Moscow’s power, but leave it more determined to confront the United States and its allies, as well as make nuclear threats, Lt. Gen. Berrier added.
* With the collaboration of VOA journalists Jeff Seldin, from Washington DC, and Lenny Castro, from San Francisco.
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