When a North Korean ship carrying weapons in Cuba, Panama, was seized last week on suspicion of smuggling drugs, Cuba start by saying that it is loaded with sugar Korean people, according to the official familiar with the situation in Panama.
Cuban officials require ships to be released quickly, there are no drugs on board promised, did not mention two days later, found hidden in sacks of sugar remained at 220,000 weapons, officials told Reuters.
"They said it was a big misunderstanding," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Cuban officials refused to comment on the account.
Problem still around cargo of sugar and Cuba as "obsolete" Soviet-era weapons, it says it is sent halfway around the world Korea repaired.
This finding has already been isolated Asian countries to increase diplomatic pressure, because they were suspected breach of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the United Nations arms embargo against Pyongyang goods.
Experts said that for Cuba, smuggling weapons to the DPRK does not seem to make up for the benefits of potential pitfalls.
"This is puzzling. Cuba would risk so much for so little, it is hard to believe," said Frank Mora, a senior official at the Pentagon President Obama's first term in Latin America.
Panamanian officials say the shipment may be intended refurbished Cuban air defense weapons aging part of the exchange for sugar.
"We understand that this is a barter transaction, sugar weapons, this is our intelligence sources tell us, said:" The Panamanian government officials familiar with the investigation.
A U.S. official confirmed that one of the theories being studied, it may have been a barter transaction.
Panama, a senior official said on Friday that investigations unloading explosive substance on board, may have discovered, will check this weekend.
Mora and others said that although Cuba needed to upgrade its nuclear arsenal, botched smuggling operation so clumsy and ill-considered, it reveals character usually circumspect, disciplined Cuban army.
However, it may not be the first such attempt.
Security experts said that in the past three years, five North Korean flag vessels transit through the Panama Canal. A ship, the UN O Chong Nyon River, through the Canal and docked in Havana in May 2012.
"Interestingly, Cuba and North Korea, such a relationship exists between," said Bruce Bagley, Latin America at the University of Miami and former Panamanian intelligence service consultants.
"This shows that Cuba and North Korea is quite isolated, and seek some comfort each other's business and diplomatic embrace, they have several alternatives, they do not have any hard cash," he said.
SUGAR FIX
A UN team is due to arrive in Panama on August 5 after checking the cabin of sugar has been unloaded.
Pyongyang requested ship and crew were returned, but rejected the request of Panama, the U.S. government strongly supports its decision to seize the ship.
Panama stop routine patrol frigate 155 m (510 ft) of the country's record spring just off the Atlantic coast last week has left Cuba and has been close to the Panama Canal, bound for North Korea's northern entrance.
Frigates have noted boat is not an acknowledge signal, maritime law provisions, and suspected drug smuggling, according to the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security.
The ship was boarded, the captain refused to stop. Crew destroyed the ship's electrical system and bilge pumps, officials said, in a possible effort to ship skylight.
After the ship's 35 crew members were arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle undeclared weapons, through the canal. Panama said they did not cooperate with the authorities choose to remain silent rather than.
With the arrest of a ship Panama, Cuban officials contacted and made a request on Saturday was released and allowed to continue its journey.
"We do not know what, said:" The Panamanian government officials familiar with the matter. "They said it was donated by the Korean People's sugar."
Panamanian security officials Monday found hidden under sacks of sugar weaponry. It was not until the next evening, Cuba said that it was loaded with 240 tons Soviet-era missile equipment, MiG fighter jets and other weapons.
Cuba has not said a word since. Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday did not respond to request for comment.
"This is unusual, they never remain silent when they feel under attack. Mora, who is now at Florida International University's Latin American and Caribbean Center's head, said:" It looks like someone messed up .
 



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