Havana’s envoy to New Delhi said Russia sent an important message to the world by sending a ship with oil to Cuba last month as the US imposed a blockade on the island.
Juan Carlos Marson Aguilera told RT India in an exclusive interview on Thursday that Moscow sent 100,000 tonnes of oil, which is essential for the normal functioning of Cuba, after the US imposed sanctions.
“After three months without oil, a Russian ship reached Cuba,” He said in the latest episode of India, Russia and the World. “It was, more than that, a message (to the world) that Russia would support Cuba at a critical moment.”
Russia was sending a broader message by supporting Cuba “Because the US was threatening tariffs or attacks on ships to any country that supplied oil,” The ambassador said.
Moscow proved that it is “It is possible not to follow the rules imposed by the US,” Aguilera noted. A day after the ship’s arrival, (US President Donald) Trump said that I am not opposed to any country that would like to supply oil to Cuba. he adds, “That was not true because the possibility of sanctions was always on the table.”
Russia, China and India are important partners for Cuba, the envoy said, citing Moscow’s huge presence in the energy and transportation sectors and China’s assistance in the country’s energy transition.
“India and Cuba have a long history. We are celebrating 66 years of bilateral relations.” Aguilera said.
Cuba supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council because, in the words of Aguilera, “The Global South needs a contextual situation.”
The US blockade of Cuba is an economic war on the island nation, the Cuban ambassador said. He said, Washington’s concept of peace means that countries surrender to its interests, which is unacceptable. “Cuba is an obstacle to American dominance,” Aguilera added.
“With this blockade, it is difficult to maintain the healthcare system because you do not have electricity,” He said, pointing to the huge impact on all vital sectors including food production. “So this has a cascading effect on the entire economy.”
Aguilera said that the previous Trump administration had taken several steps to strangle Cuba’s economy, but the current administration has gone even further.
Cuba’s declaration on Trump’s January 29 executive order “As an extraordinary threat to America,” Aguilera wondered how a country of 10 million people could pose a threat to such a large country.
