It all started with a mysterious online bulletin.
North Korea's official state news website mentioned their top officials going on a trip halfway around the world in Cuba. Their purpose - to boost "the friendly relations between the two armies".
The news report mentioned nothing more, posted on early July. Now, upon the confiscation of a North Korean vessel in Panama, the bulletin made much more sense. The cargo ship carried "undeclared weapons of war" from Cuba, creating speculation of a previously unknown alliance between two of the most secretive armies in the entire world.
Between the two countries, there are obvious parallels. Cuba and North Korea are both communist states, and both are under long term dynasties. Both countries also faced the Soviet Union's arm, and the United States penalized both economies.
"They're the only fully communist countries still in existence, and they've both faced direct US military action, which has helped bind them together," said a Korean History expert.
What is curious to analysts about this hidden partnership is that there is no logical economic trade that exists between them. Cuba's main export is sugar, which North Korea does not need. North Korea does not do anything to boost Cuba's industries as well. There is no profitability between the two.
This puzzling partnership, according to analysts, may soon be unearthed after the Panamanian ship intrusion incident.
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