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Just weeks before the United Nations General Assembly, Washington expels two Cuban diplomats. According to the US authorities, they are accused of "endangering national security" and other members of the Cuban mission to the UN are asked to stay in Manhattan, where the headquarters of the international organization is located. A measure strongly denounced in Havana, the Cuban foreign minister rejects these accusations and denounces increased pressure from the United States on his country.
With our correspondent in Havana, Domitille Piron
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez today denounced an unjustified, illegitimate action aimed at slandering expelled diplomats and the Cuban mission to the UN.
He recalled that the way this expulsion had been announced through a Tweet, before even informing the main stakeholders, had been little appreciated in Havana.
The minister also said that Cuba would react in due time, without much precision at the moment.
Cuba now looks forward to a reaction from the international community, recalling that the expulsion of its envoys to the United Nations is a violation of diplomatic rules. Since the United Nations headquarters are in New York, the United States is, in principle, obliged to grant visas to States upon request.
According to Bruno Rodriguez, this decision is part of a package of measures to increase pressure on Cuba , while the country is currently facing a serious oil supply crisis, due in particular to the US blockade.
The Cuban Foreign Minister believes that these increased tensions are linked to an electoral agenda of President Donald Trump and could lead to a break in diplomatic relations.