US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Cuba that Washington is “serious” and “determined” in its pressure campaign against Havana, after US authorities charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by Cuban exiles.
Speaking to reporters in Miami, Rubio said Cuba’s economic model “does not work” and could not be repaired under the current political system. He said the Cuban authorities had long relied on delaying tactics, adding that Washington would no longer allow Havana to “buy time”. Rubio said the US still hoped to avoid the use of force and preferred a diplomatic solution, although he described the chances of a negotiated settlement as low.
The remarks came after the US Department of Justice charged Raúl Castro and five others over the 1996 shootdown of two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue aircraft, in which four people were killed. Castro, who was Cuba’s defence minister at the time, is accused of involvement in a conspiracy to kill US nationals.
Rubio also confirmed that Cuba had accepted $100 million in US humanitarian aid under conditions, stressing that the money must not fall into the hands of Gaesa, the Cuban military-linked business group that controls large parts of the island’s economy. Washington imposed sanctions on Gaesa earlier this month, while Rubio said the sister of the group’s head had been arrested in the US after her legal residency status was revoked.
China was among the first countries to react internationally, saying it strongly opposed what it called illegal unilateral sanctions and the misuse of judicial measures against Cuba. Beijing also said it opposed pressure on Havana by external forces under any pretext.
Nimitz deployment raises questions
The US military has confirmed that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and accompanying ships are in the Caribbean. US Southern Command said the deployment forms part of maritime exercises with regional partners that began in March. Asked whether the carrier’s presence was intended to intimidate Cuba, President Donald Trump replied: “No, not at all.”
The move comes amid speculation that the Trump administration could use the indictment of Castro as part of a broader effort to increase pressure on Havana, following the earlier US operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. US officials have not said how they intend to pursue the case against Castro, who is 94.
Cuba is already facing a severe economic and social crisis, with shortages of basic goods, fuel and electricity. Repeated power cuts have triggered protests in parts of Havana in recent days, while US sanctions and restrictions continue to intensify pressure on the island’s government.
Source: skai.gr
