China has urged the United States to stop using “coercion” and “threats” against its ally Cuba after Washington brought charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
A US court has accused the 94-year-old former president of conspiracy to kill US nationals over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft, an incident that killed four people and sharply worsened relations between Washington and Havana. The planes, operated by the Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue, were travelling between Cuba and Florida at the time.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the US should “stop threatening force at every turn,” adding that Beijing firmly supports Cuba.
The case has once again highlighted long-standing tensions between Washington and Havana, which have remained strained for decades.
Cuba’s president Miguel Díaz-Canel has described the charges as “a political manoeuvre, devoid of any legal foundation”.
The foreign minister of China, a long-standing supporter of Cuba, said Beijing opposed “any attempt by external forces to exert pressure on Cuba under any pretext”.
Guo continued: “The United States should cease using sanctions and judicial apparatus as tools of coercion against Cuba and refrain from making threats of force at every turn.
“China resolutely supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity and opposes external interference.”
It comes as the White House continues to ratchet up pressure on Cuba.
The US has imposed new sanctions on the country and imposed a blockade on oil to Cuba, a move which has resulted in blackouts and food shortages.
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order sanctioning officials in Cuba’s energy, defence, financial and security sectors, as well as individuals the US alleges have carried out human rights abuses or stolen public assets.
Since capturing former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in January to face trial in the US over charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, Trump has openly mused that Cuba is “ready to fall”.
China has deepened its relationship with Cuba in recent years, especially following President Xi Jinping’s visit to the island in 2014.
In 2018, Cuba officially joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative, opening the door to investment in a range of infrastructure and development projects.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high over the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft, which is central to the recent indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
Havana has also criticized new US sanctions, describing them as “illegal” and “abusive,” as relations between Cuba and Washington continue to deteriorate.