‘Atrocious’ crime: Cuban official decries possibility of US military action

Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, told US viewers on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal that any US use of military force against Cuba would constitute a serious international crime. He framed such action as unacceptable against what he called a peaceful neighbour, and rejected US characterisations of Cuba as a failed state. Fernandez de Cossio accused the United States of applying coercive economic measures that disrupt commerce and limit access to essentials, saying that nine months of actions such as cutting shipments, restricting fuel and undermining healthcare have had severe humanitarian effects. He characterised those measures as "equivalent to a genocide," citing the impact on Cuba’s infrastructure and the population’s access to food, fuel and medical care. The remarks followed recent statements by President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, where he said "freedom will be coming" to Cuba; that speech led to the Cuban delegation leaving the assembly hall. Trump also told reporters that he did not expect to need military action and said Cuba was "failing very badly." Fernandez de Cossio said Havana must prepare citizens for the possibility of US aggression and asserted Cuba's right to self-defence even if it were diplomatically isolated. Cuba says the United States has pursued a policy of maximum economic pressure on the island for more than six decades and notes that the Trump administration imposed additional oil and fuel restrictions earlier this year. Cuban officials blame those measures for widespread fuel shortages, rolling power outages and difficulties securing basic supplies for the country of more than 10 million people. Fernandez de Cossio said bilateral diplomatic channels remain open but have produced limited results under the current sanctions, and that Cuba would engage only in talks that respect sovereignty and mutual dignity. Several countries at the UNGA condemned the continuing US sanctions and blockade of Cuba earlier in the week.