‘Atrocious’ crime: Cuban official decries possibility of US military action | Politics News
Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Criticizes U.S. Sanctions, Calls Them ‘Genocide’
Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio has condemned U.S. sanctions as “equivalent to genocide,” warning that any potential military action by the United States against the island nation would be a grave international crime. His remarks were made during an interview on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on Sunday.
Fernandez de Cossio’s statements come in response to comments made by former President Donald Trump during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday. Trump proclaimed that “freedom will be coming” to Cuba, prompting the Cuban delegation to leave the assembly hall. In a separate exchange with reporters on Saturday, Trump suggested that military intervention might not be necessary, stating, “Cuba is failing very badly.”
During the interview, Fernandez de Cossio criticized the U.S. practice of disrupting commercial shipments and exacerbating economic hardship in Cuba. He stated that enforced measures causing starvation, depriving access to stable healthcare, and hindering fuel supplies for the past several months align with acts of aggression against a peaceful nation.
The United States has pursued a policy of economic pressure against Cuba for over 60 years, which intensified under the Trump administration. In recent months, additional sanctions and fuel blockades have contributed to significant challenges for the Cuban economy, leading to limited access to food and essential services for its population of more than 10 million.
Fernandez de Cossio stressed the importance of preparing Cuban citizens for the possibility of U.S. military aggression. He acknowledged that Cuba may stand independently, yet reaffirmed the country’s right to self-defense.
While emphasizing the need for open bilateral communication, he noted that diplomatic efforts between Cuba and the U.S. have not produced substantial outcomes due to the ongoing economic sanctions. Fernandez de Cossio expressed Cuba’s willingness to engage with the U.S. in a manner that respects mutual dignity and sovereignty, and which would ultimately benefit both populations.
The continued U.S. sanctions and the blockade of Cuba were condemned by several nations during discussions at the UNGA earlier this week.
