Chinese authorities affirmed this Thursday that the United States lacks a basis to maintain the blockade and sanctions against Cuba, resorting to "invented accusations and unfounded slanders," in a context in which Washington has intensified its accusations against institutions of the Caribbean country, companies such as the conglomerate Business Administration Group (GAESA), and has filed formal charges for four homicides against Raúl Castro, historic leader of the revolution and former Cuban president.
"The United States cannot justify the illegal blockade and sanctions against Cuba with invented accusations and unfounded slanders. These unilateral sanctions and this embargo, which date back decades, have wreaked havoc on Cuba's economy and population, and are widely opposed by the international community," stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference.
In this regard, Beijing has reiterated its "firm" support for the island, emphasizing the defense of its sovereignty and national security and the "rejection of external interference." "The U.S. side should heed the call of the international community and immediately end all its blockades, sanctions, coercion, and pressure against Cuba," it stressed.
Havana is trying to alleviate the economic asphyxiation derived from U.S. measures, which since the beginning of the year have been aggravated by a blockade of energy supplies. Cuban authorities maintain open channels of dialogue on a possible way out of the crisis while denouncing the "military threat against Cuba and the energy and total blockade of fuel supply," while Washington maintains its commitment to a change of system and leadership on the island and has proposed a direct relationship with the Cuban population, in a call to set aside the communist authorities who have governed the country since 1959.