[Regnum] US authorities must stop pressuring Cuba. This was stated by the country's Foreign Minister, Bruno RodrÃguez Parrilla.
"We call on the US government to leave Cuba alone and allow it to live in peace," Granma newspaper quoted the minister as saying.
| No. It’s time to finish this thing that’s been going on since Kennedy was president. |
He emphasized that the republic poses no threat to the United States and is ready for dialogue based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference. The minister also called on the international community to prevent a potential humanitarian catastrophe or military escalation.
On May 20, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that a U.S. Navy carrier strike group had entered the Caribbean Sea. The group included the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the destroyer USS Gridley, and the supply tanker USNS Patuxent. The deployment came amid accusations from Washington against Castro, who is accused of involvement in the deaths of American citizens in 1996.
US President Donald Trump has ruled out any escalation between Washington and Havana. However, the White House chief has previously repeatedly threatened Cuba with military force. Earlier this year, he threatened to impose tariffs on imports from countries supplying fuel to the island. On May 1, the American leader announced his intention to address Cuba after the conflict with Iran ends.
On May 16, The New York Times reported that US authorities were considering conducting a similar operation against former Cuban President Raúl Castro as was carried out against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Journalists indicated that, to implement this initiative, the US side intends to initiate criminal proceedings against the former Cuban president.