China pledges support for Cuba and defies US threats: Details of the situation
In a new escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two superpowers, China pledged on Tuesday to provide all forms of "support and assistance" to Cuba in the face of continued US threats and pressure on the Caribbean island. Beijing strongly condemned what it called Washington's "practices" that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the world.
China's position: Rejection of hegemony and a call to lift the blockade
During a routine press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaxing stated that China is following the US actions toward Havana with grave concern. The Chinese official emphasized that "China expresses its firm opposition to the actions of the United States," stressing that unilateral sanctions are no longer acceptable in the current international system.
Beijing urged the United States to "immediately cease undermining regional peace and stability," calling on Washington to take concrete steps to lift the decades-long economic, trade, and financial embargo against Cuba. The spokesperson concluded by reaffirming China's unwavering commitment to continue providing Cuba with all possible support and assistance to overcome its economic difficulties.
Historical background: Decades of siege and resilience
These statements come within a long historical context of conflict, as Cuba has been subject to a comprehensive US embargo since the early 1960s—an embargo considered by the United Nations and most of the world to be a major obstacle to the island's development. China is currently one of Cuba's most important trading and political partners, providing vital support in the energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications sectors, making Chinese aid a lifeline for the Cuban economy under the US economic stranglehold.
Cuban readiness and regional tensions
On the Cuban side, President Miguel Díaz-Canel called for increased combat and public readiness to confront any potential "aggression," coinciding with large-scale military exercises on the island. These preparations come in response to threats from Washington, which has linked the fate of the regime in Havana to the events unfolding in Venezuela.
The US administration has escalated its rhetoric against what it calls the "troika of tyranny" in Latin America, threatening to cut off Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba and warning Havana of a fate similar to Caracas' if it continues to support President Nicolás Maduro. This situation reflects the complexities of international politics, as the Caribbean once again becomes an arena for competition between major powers, amid China's continued support for its traditional allies in the United States' backyard.
