Cuba Condemns US Military Deployment in the Caribbean Sea

Havana, Sept 1 (ACN) Cuban acting foreign minister Gerardo Peñalver Portal strongly rejected the US military deployment in the southern Caribbean Sea, which he dubbed “a dangerous and disproportionate offensive using naval units, including nuclear-powered subs and troops threatening regional security and peace.”

The Cuban government official participated Monday at an online special ministerial meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), urgently called to address the US military action.

Peñalver Portal said that the US operation, which is presented a part of an anti-drug trafficking strategy, is an attempt against the sovereignty of Latin American and Caribbean nations, while it runs contrary to the nature of the region as a Zone of Peace proclaimed in 2014.

The Cuban diplomat questioned Washington’s accusations against the Venezuelan government by arguing that the DEA official reports linking Venezuela to drug-trafficking cartels are groundless, according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s webpage.

The response to regional challenges must be based on cooperation, respect for the nations’ sovereignty and non-interference, said the diplomat as he reiterated his country’s commitment to the fight on drug trafficking and the efforts aimed at the defense of regional stability.

The special session was called by Colombia, who holds the temporary chair of CELAC, amidst growing geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean area.