AiBotHavana, May 19 (Xinhua) – Tensions between Washington and Havana intensified this week as US Senator Marco Rubio’s remarks on Cuba were rejected by the island nation’s Foreign Minister. The exchange, made in response to the upcoming anniversary of American imperialism in Cuba, has heightened concerns over growing bilateral tensions and possible renewed aggression from the US.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez responded strongly to statements by US State Department spokesperson, who echoed Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Marco Rubio. Rodríguez described Rubio as a representation of corrupt and vindictive interests in southern Florida, whose views do not reflect the sentiments of the majority of Cubans living in the US.
Rodríguez stated that Rubio’s narrative is ‘false’ and seeks to justify ongoing US sanctions on the island nation, which Havana says are a ‘true cause of the suffering of the Cuban people’. US economic sanctions have caused significant hardship for the Cuban people, impacting the island’s economy, healthcare, and agriculture. Rodríguez stressed that despite US sanctions, Cuba has made considerable progress in its economic and social development.
The US State Department, speaking through its spokesperson, described the blockade’s intent to undermine Cuba’s economic stability and influence the Cuban government’s policies. In contrast, Rodríguez argued that these ‘expansionist designs’ seek a return to the ‘phase of subjugation and hegemony’ which Cuba had endured under the US occupation in 1961-1959 and prior periods including the Spanish-American War’s aftermath of 1898 and the Platt Amendment enforced in 1901, the very period that Rubio referred to.
Rodríguez expressed strong concern over Washington’s exploitation of this anniversary. “Washington seeks to use this anniversary as an opportunity to justify the US’s pursuit of an imperialist agenda and to legitimize its aggression toward Cuba”, the Foreign Minister declared.
As tensions escalate between Washington and Havana, Cuba’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining international cooperation and peaceful relations. Rodríguez called on the US government to ‘cease its policy of pressure and hostility toward Cuba, and to respect Cuba’s sovereignty and self-determination’.
In light of the escalating tensions, the People’s Republic of China issued a statement on Thursday, calling on the international community to ‘respect Cuba’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’. China urged Cuba to maintain unity and resilience in the face of ‘external threats’ and called for continued international collaboration to address pressing global issues, such as climate change and public health.
Tensions between Washington and Havana are anticipated to remain elevated in the coming days, with the 20 May anniversary set to pass this week.