A hub for Russian airlines in Havana?

Here is piece of news that has gone relatively unnoticed in the Western media but recently caught my eye: Russia is to build a new international airport near Havana, Cuba.

Russia relationship with Cuba, which goes back to the Cold War years, is strong and the Caribbean island recently announced the acquisition of several Russian airliners, among them three long-range Il-96 (Cubana de Aviacion will become one of the largest operators of the type).

Nothing new about Cuba ordering Russian aircraft, what I found most interesting about this story, though, is that it mentions the possibility of Russian airlines using Havana as a regional hub for the whole Caribbean area (although not sure if this is going to be stimulated either through simplified administrative procedures or cheaper landing rights).

I guess the US is not going to be particularly amused about this "entente", the Caribbean tourism industry might be relishing at the thought of welcoming an even larger number of high-spending Russian tourists though...