Group 1 - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit opened in St. Kitts and Nevis, with 15 countries participating, focusing on U.S. military interventions and policies affecting the region [1][2] - Leaders expressed strong dissatisfaction with the U.S. policies over the past year, including pressure on regional countries to reject Cuban medical missions and to cool relations with China [1] - Concerns were raised about the potential deployment of U.S. military equipment in the Caribbean, which has heightened regional vigilance [1] Group 2 - The situation in Cuba was highlighted, with leaders warning that Cuba's severe economic difficulties and humanitarian pressures could impact the entire Caribbean region if prolonged [2] - The outgoing CARICOM chair, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, emphasized that Cuba's long-term crisis would not be confined to its borders and called for constructive dialogue between Cuba and the U.S. [2] - U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, justified as targeting drug traffickers, have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 151 deaths reported since September 2025, raising concerns among local families and leaders [2]

Core Viewpoint - The visit of Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez to Moscow coincides with a new round of U.S. oil sanctions against Cuba, highlighting geopolitical tensions and the potential for Russia to engage in constructive dialogue with the U.S. regarding Cuba's oil embargo [1] Group 1: U.S. Sanctions - The U.S. has implemented a new round of oil sanctions against Cuba, which poses significant challenges for the Cuban economy [1] - President Trump signed an executive order on January 29, threatening to impose tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba [1] Group 2: Russia's Position - Russian officials, including presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, have expressed a desire for constructive dialogue with the U.S. to address the oil embargo on Cuba [1] - The meeting between Rodriguez and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may indicate Russia's willingness to support Cuba amid U.S. sanctions [1]

Group 1 - The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed its willingness to continue providing necessary support to Venezuela and called for constructive dialogue to resolve the situation in the country [1] - On January 5, Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered the swearing-in of Vice President Rodriguez as interim president, indicating the government's determination to maintain national unity and power structure amid external threats [1] - The Russian side welcomed Venezuela's efforts to uphold its sovereignty and reiterated its unwavering support for the Venezuelan people and government, wishing Rodriguez success in addressing national challenges [1] Group 2 - The Russian Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the "Malinelle" oil tanker, which is sailing under the Russian flag in the North Atlantic in accordance with international maritime law [2] - The U.S. military and NATO have shown excessive concern for the "Malinelle" tanker, which the Russian side finds incomprehensible, as the vessel is approximately 4,000 kilometers from the U.S. coast [2] - Russia expects Western countries, which claim to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, to lead by example in practicing this principle [2]