Cuba sees higher risk of US military aggression as talks stall

HAVANA — Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal warned on Thursday that the risk of U.S. military aggression against the island is growing as bilateral negotiations remain stagnant.

Speaking at a legislative hearing at the National Capitol to denounce U.S. sanctions on Cuban oil imports, Vidal accused Washington of fabricating pretexts to portray Cuba as a national security threat in order to justify potential aggression.

"Every day, the danger of military aggression against Cuba grows," Vidal said.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has effectively imposed a blockade on Cuba by threatening sanctions against countries that supply it with fuel. This pressure campaign has triggered widespread power outages and exacerbated the island's worst economic crisis in decades.

Despite the tension, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that he was confident the dialogue between the two nations, which began around March, would yield "a good result."

However, Cuban authorities have maintained that they will not tolerate interference in their internal affairs, criticizing the U.S. for a lack of good faith.

"A channel of exchange between the two governments remains open, but there has not been much progress," Vidal said. "We have reason to doubt the seriousness and responsibility of the United States government."

In the latest escalation of Washington's pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government, the U.S. formally charged former President Raul Castro with four counts of murder. The charges stem from the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has since warned that any military action would lead to a "bloodbath" resulting in the deaths of thousands of Cubans and Americans. -Reporting by Ayose Naranjo, Writing by Natalia Siniawski, Editing by Rod Nickel/Reuters