Vidal Rejects Accusations of US Security Threat

Amid talks between Cuba and the United States, the US has continued to take measures that significantly affect the Cuban people. Stated Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. In an exclusive interview with the US network PBS NewsHour.

Among these, she cited the imposition of an energy blockade and new secondary sanctions on foreign entities that operate with the archipelago.

“The coercion, the pressure on Cuba has increased. It has strengthened, with the imposition of an energy blockade on oil from the country. And more recently with the imposition of new secondary sanctions on foreign entities and individuals. That have operated or currently have operations with Cuba,” the Vice Minister affirmed during the interview with co-host Amna Nawaz.

Vidal emphasized that, despite this economic aggression. Cuba has made significant progress in its energy transition. “We have doubled energy production in just a few months through renewable energy sources. Mainly through a very rapid investment in photovoltaic energy. These are some of the things we are doing to confront and find solutions to many of the problems we are facing.”

Regarding the U.S. Department of Justice’s indictment of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz. For the downing of two aircraft belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue terrorist organization in 1996. The deputy minister described the charge as “illegitimate, illegal, and completely fraudulent.”

“The entire responsibility for this incident lies with the United States government. Cuba exhausted all diplomatic channels to alert and warn that Cuban airspace was being flagrantly violated,” she emphasized.

Moreover the diplomat categorically rejected Washington’s allegations of a supposed Cuban threat to U.S. national security. “Cuba is not a threat to the United States, it has never been a threat to the United States. There are no foreign military bases. The only foreign military base that still exists in Cuba is the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. Against the will of the Cuban government and people.”

Vidal stated that the United States “has never officially presented any evidence to Cuba” to support its accusations. Described these allegations as “a pretext being used to justify the escalation… to continue punishing the Cuban people and Cuba.”

The deputy minister referred to statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom she described as “unfamiliar with Cuba’s history.” She added that Rubio’s message reflects “that he doesn’t know us and doesn’t understand our history. How proud we are of our independence and our determination to defend it.”

Finally, Vidal made Cuba’s position clear regarding a potential military aggression. “We take threats from the United States very, very seriously. And we have always been ready to defend our country.”

However, she clarified that Cuba “is not seeking conflict” and that “there is no reason why Cubans and Americans should die.”

With information from the Cuban News Agency