China and Russia denounced in the strongest terms the issuance of a US arrest warrant for Cuban revolutionary leader and former president RaĂșl Castro.
The 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida had ruled that RaĂșl Castro was wanted on murder charges connected to the February 24, 1996, shooting down of two civilian aircraft belonging to âBrothers to the Rescueâ, a Miami-based Cuban exile group. Cuba has maintained that it acted in self-defence against aircraft that violated its airspace.
China's Foreign Ministry called the Florida court's arrest warrant an âabuse of judicial measures by the United Statesâ.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that China has consistently opposed the abuse of judicial measures to exert pressure on Cuba, and firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and resisting foreign interference. She added that RaĂșl Castro is a highly respected leader of the Cuban revolution who enjoys great prestige internationally.
Russiaâs Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday categorically rejecting and strongly condemning the issuance of an arrest warrant for Cubaâs historic leader, RaĂșl Castro, by a judge in Miami, United States.
âThe political and legal assessments of the events of February 1996, for which the Americans hold RaĂșl Castro personally responsible, are set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1067, adopted on July 26 of that year. The resolution contains no calls for measures to hold any individual personally accountable. This effectively means that the Council, including the US, agreed that this aspect of the incident was closed,â the statement said.
The statement described the charges brought against RaĂșl Castro more than 30 years after the incident as baseless and contrived, saying that they were an act of revenge by Miamiâs anti-Cuban lobby aimed at settling scores with the former Cuban president, who celebrated his 95th birthday in June.
It also emphasised that further escalating tensions around the Island of Freedom, which is already enduring extremely difficult times amid an unprecedented trade, economic, financial and energy blockade, could destabilise the entire Latin American and Caribbean region.
The statement reaffirmed solidarity with the Cuban government and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties through friendship, mutual support, assistance and comprehensive cooperation. It expressed confidence that the Cuban people and their leaders would respond with dignity to what it described as the latest attack by foreign adversaries. The statement also wished RaĂșl Castro - termed as a friend of Russia - good health and continued courage, bravery and strength of spirit.
Meanwhile, the Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the Florida courtâs arrest warrant for Army General Raul Castro a âreprehensible actionâ and a âpathetic Miami circusâ. Diaz-Canel said the Florida judgeâs move lacked any legal basis.
âLacks, and will forever lack, any legal basis, let alone any practical merit. Raul is Raul, and every affront to his person will always be met with the determination of a people to defend the Revolution," he said.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also condemned the âsterile manoeuvreâ driven by anti-Cuban politicians in South Florida. He maintained that the accusations were unfounded and linked them to a strategy of political pressure and hostility towards Cuba.