Cuba backs Venezuela as its economy is heavily dependent on subsidized Venezuelan oil

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Cuba has given Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro unconditional support as Cuban economy is heavily dependent on subsidized Venezuelan oil. Moreover, it also saw Maduro as an important left-wing ally in the region.

In his televised address to the summer session of Cuba's National Assembly, President Raul Castro blamed Venezuela's problems on outside interference.

Venezuela's former leader, Hugo Chavez considered Cuba's Fidel Castro his political mentor and helped stabilize Cuba's economy following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Cuba provided doctors and other professionals which Venezuela paid for in oil.

Such arrangements continued under President Nicolas Maduro but as economic crisis broke out in Venezuela, oil shipments were 60% lower than 10 years ago, forcing energy saving measures across the island.

Cuba’s loyalty to Venezuela was not just about oil, but related to political intention as well. Venezuela held a revolutionary attitude similar to Cuba and thus was considered one of the most important allies in the region.

Raul Castro is due to step down as president early in 2018. A change in government in Caracas could make a stable transition in Havana much more difficult to achieve.

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