SEIZURE OF MISSILE-LADEN NORTH KOREAN SHIP COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN COUNTRY RISK FOR CUBA AND VENEZUELA

Missile components on display in Panama.

The government of the Republic of Panama has seized a North Korean vessel that attempted to transit the Panama Canal, when sophisticated missile components were found on board by inspectors. One must assume that the shipment was destined for North Korea's ongoing illegal ballistic missile program.

North Korea has openly threatened both the United States, and South Korea, with attack this year, and the efforts, by any country, to assist the DPRK missile program, will be regarded by the US as a hostile act. The fact that the vessel came from Cuba indicates that it is facilitating the North Korean weapons development program; This will not go unnoticed in the United States.

Cuba, which is not known to manufacture advanced weaponry, would most likely have acquired the missiles from Iran, either directly, or in coordination with Venezuela. You can expect an American response to the fact that Cuba is actively assisting the DPRK, and if it is learned that Venezuela had a hand in it, sanctions or other strong measures could also be imposed upon that nation.

Watch this incident unfold; when the United States takes action against  one or both countries, assess the situation, and decide whether to increase Country Risk on Cuba and Venezuela.