Characteristics and Assessment of Russian Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

The following article assesses the challenge posed by Russian engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean to U.S. strategic interests in the region. It highlights some of the most salient charac- teristics of that challenge, then examines the general approach pursued by Russia in engaging with the region, followed by a more detailed analysis of specific Russian military and commercial activities there. It concludes by postulating conditions under which the currently modest, albeit non-trivial challenge posed by Russia could expand into a phenomenon of greater concern for the United States and the region.