The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubioassured that yes Raul Castro does not appear before American justice, he could officially be considered a fugitive.
“I’m not going to talk about how we’re going to get it here, or whether we’re trying to get it here.”Rubio declared before journalists in Florida. However, he made it clear that the US administration will maintain pressure on Havana.
“If Castro does not come of his own free will, he will become a fugitive from justice American,” the official said.
The statements occurred amid a new increase in tensions between Washington and Havana, marked by more severe economic sanctions and diplomatic pressures promoted by Donald Trump’s administration.
Rubio also acknowledged that The United States has maintained contacts with Cuban officialsalthough he expressed little optimism about the possibility of reaching a diplomatic solution.
“The president’s preference is always a negotiated and peaceful agreement. But, to be frank, the probability of that happening is not high,” he said.
Cuba rejects accusations from Washington
After learning of the accusation, the Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel He reacted through a message published on X, where he rejected the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Meanwhile, bilateral tension continues to grow. Since January, Washington has toughened sanctions against strategic sectors of Cubaincluding energy, mining and defense, in addition to increasing restrictions related to the supply of fuel to the island.
The measures come in the midst of a deep economic and social crisis in Cuba, marked by blackouts, fuel shortages and lack of food.
Trump increases pressure on Havana
President Donald Trump also raised the tone against the Cuban government in recent statements, where he assured that The United States can do “whatever it wants” with the island.
“It is a nation in decline. It is falling apart. They have no oil, they have no money“Trump declared before American media.
For his part, Rubio insisted that the policy of Washington does not seek “national construction”but to respond to national security interests.
“Their system does not work,” said the Secretary of State. “It cannot be fixed with the current political system.”
The information was taken from public statements by the United States Department of Justice, as well as from statements by Marco Rubio and Donald Trump disseminated by American and international media.
US hardens stance against Cuba
The United States Department of Justice presented a formal accusation against former Cuban president Raúl Castro for his alleged participation in the downing of two small planes belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue organization in 1996, an event that left four dead, including three American citizens.
The accusation represents one of Washington’s most aggressive moves against the Cuban political establishment in decades and rekindles a chistorical conflict between both countries which has lasted for almost 70 years.
According to U.S. authorities, Castro—who at the time was Cuba’s defense minister—faces charges of conspiracy to murder American citizensdestruction of aircraft and murder.
Keep reading:
- Raúl Castro: the images of his long political career in Cuba that now ends
- Trump insists on seeing Cuba as “a failed nation” where everything is lacking because of his government
- The legacy of Raúl Castro: 5 things that Fidel’s brother changed during his years in charge of Cuba
