The US Government has expelled two members of Cuba’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations (UN) for allegedly having carried out activities against the national security of the United States.
In addition, the spokeswoman for the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus, confirmed on her Twitter account that the Cuban diplomatic corps at the UN must remain in Manhattan, New York, where the agency’s headquarters are located.
“After 2 members of the Cuban mission to the UN participated in harmful activities against US national security, we asked them to leave the country. Members of Cuba’s mission to the UN have restrictions to stay in Manhattan. We take all attempts against US National Security seriously, ” Ortagus tweeted.
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El bloqueo es ilegal, criminal, genocida. Provoca daños humanos. Constituye una violación masiva, flagrante y sistemática de los #DDHH de los cubanos. El gob. de #EEUU lo ha aplicado por casi 6 décadas, pero no ha podido quebrar la unidad y resistencia de nuestro pueblo. | #Cuba pic.twitter.com/2XWp1uKdpf
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) September 17, 2019
The expulsion of Cuban diplomats takes place within the framework of the UN General Assembly, which brings together heads of state and foreign ministers from around the world. In addition, it happens at a time when Washington has pressured Cuba with new trade sanctions. In early June, the Donald Trump Administration approved new restrictions against Havana, prohibiting educational group trips to the island and canceling authorizations for pleasure and passenger boats, including cruises and yachts, as well as private planes. After Havana’s support for Caracas, Washington increased trade pressure on Cuba, limiting remittances to the Caribbean country to US $ 1,000 per quarter and restricting bank transactions.
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After 2 members of Cuba’s UN mission engaged in activities harmful to U.S. national security, we asked them to leave the U.S. Members of Cuba’s UN mission are also restricted to stay in Manhattan. We take any & all attempts against the National Security of the U.S. seriously.
— Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) September 19, 2019
In addition, the Cuban government has denounced that Washington has economically pressured the island and caused fuel shortages.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has labeled the blockade orchestrated by Washington as “illegal, criminal and genocidal,” and warned that it constitutes “a massive, flagrant and systematic violation” of the human rights of the citizens of his country.
Translated by JRE/EFA
