Cuban Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío condemns US interference and slanderous messages
On March 18, 2024, Cuban Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires, Benjamin Ziff, to protest the “interference conduct” and “slanderous messages” of the US government and its embassy in Cuba. The MINREX statement includes a formal protest against the conduct of the United States embassy in Cuba.
During the meeting, Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío emphasized the importance of diplomatic missions adhering to the standards of decency and honesty as outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The statement highlighted the recent protests in Cuba due to food shortages and prolonged blackouts, as well as reported internet outages in certain provinces following the demonstrations.
The United States Embassy in Cuba responded to the protests with a tweet calling on the Cuban government to respect the human rights of protesters and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people. In response, diplomat Josefina Vidal criticized the US government’s actions, pointing out the long-standing economic blockade imposed on Cuba.
The meeting between Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío and Chargé d’Affaires Benjamin Ziff also addressed the economic situation in Cuba and the impact of the US government’s policies. The Cuban government expressed discontent with the US government’s efforts to undermine Cuba’s economy and hinder its ability to respond to the needs of the population.
Overall, the protest highlighted the ongoing tensions between the United States and Cuba, as well as Cuba’s concerns over US interference in its internal affairs. The Cuban government emphasized the need for diplomatic missions to act in accordance with international standards and condemned the US government’s actions as part of a destabilizing plan against Cuba.