Chinese authorities have called on the United States to stop intimidating Cuba after the American government filed murder charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
On 21 May 2026 GMT+7, Chinese officials urged the United States to cease "coercion" and "intimidation" against Cuba, a Chinese ally, following Washington's indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro for murder related to the shooting down of two planes 30 years ago.
Gao Jiekun, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "The United States should end using sanctions and its judicial processes as tools to coerce Cuba and avoid threatening to use force over every issue."
"China firmly supports Cuba in defending its sovereignty and national dignity and opposes external interference," Gao stated.
Last Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had charged 94-year-old Raúl Castro with conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens in connection to the 1996 shooting down of two planes belonging to “Brothers to the Rescue,” a group of Cuban-American refugees, which resulted in four deaths, including three Americans.
U.S. President Donald Trump has continuously pressured Cuba, including openly discussing efforts to overthrow Cuba's communist regime.
The U.S. announced new sanctions on Cuba, including blocking oil shipments to the country, worsening Cuba’s energy crisis that has caused widespread power outages and food shortages.
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order to sanction officials in Cuba’s energy, defense, finance, and security sectors, as well as individuals accused by the U.S. of human rights violations or embezzlement of state assets.
Conversely, China has strengthened ties with Cuba since President Xi Jinping’s visit to the island nation in 2014. In 2018, Cuba joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative and has received significant funding for infrastructure projects.
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Source:bbc