China Condemns Florida Warrant Against Raul Castro, Accuses US of Pressuring Cuba

‘Comrade Raul’: Beijing defends Cuba’s ex-leader over Florida murder warrant

China on Wednesday condemned an arrest warrant issued in the US state of Florida for former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes.

Beijing accused the United States of using the courts to pressure Havana and urged Washington to lift its embargo against Cuba.

China rejects pressure on Havana

The case relates to the deadly 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft. China’s response linked the warrant to its broader opposition to US pressure on Cuba.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was asked about the warrant by the state-run Global Times during a regular briefing in Beijing.

Mao referred to the 95-year-old former leader as “comrade Raul Castro”. She also described him as a “venerated” leader who is held in high international esteem.

China said it opposed the “abuse of judicial measures to pressure Cuba”. Mao called on the US to “immediately stop its blockade and any other form of coercion and pressure against Cuba”.

The comments placed the warrant within a wider dispute between Washington and Havana, with Beijing specifically objecting to the use of legal measures against Cuba. China’s call for an end to the US blockade and other pressure came alongside its defence of Castro.

Source: South China Morning Post