China has expressed firm support for Cuba following the United States’ decision to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro on murder-related charges connected to the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft.
The charges, announced by the US on Wednesday, May 20, have fuelled speculation that President Donald Trump could pursue a tougher stance against the communist-led Caribbean nation.
Reacting on Thursday, May 21, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun criticised Washington’s move and called on the US to end what he described as political and judicial pressure on Cuba.
“The US side should stop wielding sanctions and judicial measures against Cuba and stop threatening the use of force at every opportunity,” Guo said during a press briefing. “China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity and opposes external interference,” he added.
Castro, 94, is the younger brother of late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who led Cuba’s 1959 communist revolution and remained one of the United States’ most prominent geopolitical rivals for decades.
US prosecutors accused Raul Castro of involvement in the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft operated by anti-Castro activists, an incident that killed four people. Alongside murder-related charges, he also faces allegations of conspiracy to kill Americans and destruction of aircraft.
Trump described the indictment as a “very big moment” but appeared to play down the likelihood of immediate action against Cuba, whose economy has been under growing strain amid a worsening crisis linked to the longstanding US oil blockade.
