2023-07-11 18:35:52
Two years after the social outbreak that Cuba attributes to Washington’s interference in its internal affairs, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced this Tuesday the entry of a nuclear powered submarine American in Guantánamo Bay (east of the island), where the United States has maintained a disputed military base since 1903.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Minrex) described the fact of “provocative escalation” whose political or strategic motives “They are unknown.” According to the Foreign Ministry, the submersible entered the military base on July 5 and remained until July 8.
“The presence there of a nuclear submarine at this time forces us to question what is the military reason for the fact in this pacific region of the worldagainst which objective it is directed”, pointed out the Minrex.
But, in addition, the text reiterates a historical demand from Havana: “that the illegally occupied territory in the province of Guantanamo be returned.” The base occupies 117 square kilometers “against the will of the Cuban people and as a colonial remnant of the illegitimate military occupation of our country begun in 1898” by the US, after its intervention in Cuba’s war of independence against Spain .
The Minrex added that the permanence of the naval base “only responds to the political objective of trying to violate the sovereign rights of Cuba.”
Torture and detention center
Havana did not forget that “in the last decades” the “practical utility” of that base was “serve as a detention center, torture and systematic violation of the human rights of dozens of citizens from different countries”. A prison was built there on January 11, 2002, where at first prisoners from Afghanistan were housed. People accused mostly of terrorism, although some have never been tried.
The incident takes place at a time of rapprochement between Cuba and Russia which, in addition to strengthening economic exchange, is contemplating the possibility of developing bilateral projects in the “technical-military field.” Weeks ago, Washington hinted at its concern over the alleged existence of a Chinese espionage unit on the island for years. It, he added, would have been updated in 2019. Cuban diplomacy flatly rejected that speculation.
another controversy
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In this context, the US embassy in Havana denied the White House’s responsibility for the shortage of medicines in Cuba. The Government had assured that these shortages are a consequence of economic sanctions. “Yes, medicines can be imported!” Remarked the diplomatic headquarters through Twitter. “The US embargo on Cuba allows exports of US medical products, as well as other items in support of Cuban citizenship. The Commerce Department license is easy to obtain. The relevant information is public information.
And as if speaking to the Cubans themselves, the embassy adds: “Did you know that since the beginning of the year the United States has approved almost 900 million dollars in medical exports to Cuba? And last year, more than 800 million dollars, doubling the figure for 2021. That the embargo should not be used as an excuse for the lack of medical care in Cuba.”
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