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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Top Cuban official accuses Trump administration of escalating tensions
Tablada said new Trump administration measures targeting Communist-ruled Cuba intend to "dynamite our relation(ship) to really provoke a rupture of relation, and even to create conditions, in my opinion, for, if necessary, a military confrontation." Republican U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hardline approach to Cuba since he took office in January, returning longtime foe Cuba to a U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, tightening rules on remittances, and shutting off migration programs that allowed some Cubans to work in the U.S. legally. Trump officials have not publicly threatened any military action. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More: Trump asks Supreme Court to revoke safe-haven program for Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan immigrants U.S. Chief of Mission Mike Hammer - the top U.S. diplomat in Havana - has traveled the island widely in recent months to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. Cuba's foreign ministry last week issued a verbal warning to Hammer, saying he had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. Tablada accused Hammer of channeling U.S. humanitarian funds to undermine the Cuban government and said Cuban diplomats would not be allowed to engage in similar behavior in the U.S. "To push both countries into scenarios of confrontation and collision is not a good idea," she said. Just days before Trump took office in January former President Joe Biden's administration removed Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, effectively reversing sanctions from Trump's first term. After returning to office, Trump quickly returned Cuba to the blacklist and also reinstated many of the restrictions on trade and travel that Biden had eased.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
Top Cuban official accuses US of trying to provoke conflict, World News
WASHINGTON - A visiting senior Cuban official on Tuesday (June 3) accused the Trump administration of ratcheting up tensions between Washington and Havana and expressed concerns that the US was trying to provoke a military confrontation. Speaking to reporters at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, Johana Tablada, deputy director for US affairs in Cuba's foreign ministry, said an armed clash between the two old Cold War rivals was "not a good idea" and that the Cuban government was trying to ease the situation but that the US appeared determined to further damage relations. Tablada said new Trump administration measures targeting Communist-ruled Cuba intend to rupture relations "to create conditions, in my opinion, for, if necessary, a military confrontation." Republican US President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hardline approach to Cuba since he took office in January, returning longtime foe Cuba to a US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, tightening rules on remittances, and shutting off migration programs that allowed some Cubans to work in the US legally. Trump officials have not publicly threatened any military action. A State Department spokesperson said the Trump administration had "no indication" that the Cuban government was ready for a "meaningful" dialogue with the US "We call on the regime to release the American citizens, return US fugitives, and free the hundreds of Cuban political prisoners who remain imprisoned and used as bargaining chips," the spokesperson said in a statement. US Chief of Mission Mike Hammer - the top US diplomat in Havana - has travelled the island widely in recent months to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. Cuba's foreign ministry last week issued a verbal warning to Hammer, saying he had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. Tablada accused Hammer of channeling US humanitarian funds to undermine the Cuban government and said Cuban diplomats would not be allowed to engage in similar behaviour in the US "To push both countries into scenarios of confrontation and collision is not a good idea," she said. Just days before Trump took office in January former President Joe Biden's administration removed Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, effectively reversing sanctions from Trump's first term. After returning to office, Trump quickly returned Cuba to the blacklist and also reinstated many of the restrictions on trade and travel that Biden had eased. [[nid:718348]]
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Top Cuban official accuses US of escalating tensions, raises concerns of conflict
WASHINGTON - A visiting senior Cuban official on Tuesday accused the Trump administration of ratcheting up tensions between Washington and Havana and expressed concerns that the U.S. was trying to provoke a military confrontation. Speaking to reporters at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, Johana Tablada, deputy director for U.S. affairs in Cuba's foreign ministry, said an armed clash between the two old Cold War rivals was "not a good idea" and that the Cuban government was trying to ease the situation but that the U.S. appeared determined to further damage relations. Tablada said new Trump administration measures targeting Communist-ruled Cuba intend to "dynamite our relation(ship) to really provoke a rupture of relation, and even to create conditions, in my opinion, for, if necessary, a military confrontation." Republican U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hardline approach to Cuba since he took office in January, returning longtime foe Cuba to a U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, tightening rules on remittances, and shutting off migration programs that allowed some Cubans to work in the U.S. legally. Trump officials have not publicly threatened any military action. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. Chief of Mission Mike Hammer - the top U.S. diplomat in Havana - has traveled the island widely in recent months to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. Cuba's foreign ministry last week issued a verbal warning to Hammer, saying he had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. Tablada accused Hammer of channeling U.S. humanitarian funds to undermine the Cuban government and said Cuban diplomats would not be allowed to engage in similar behavior in the U.S. 'To push both countries into scenarios of confrontation and collision is not a good idea,' she said. Just days before Trump took office in January former President Joe Biden's administration removed Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, effectively reversing sanctions from Trump's first term. After returning to office, Trump quickly returned Cuba to the blacklist and also reinstated many of the restrictions on trade and travel that Biden had eased. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Japan Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
U.S. top diplomat in Havana promises more sanctions on Cuba
By Dave Sherwood The United States' top diplomat in Havana said on Friday the U.S. had more sanctions in store for Cuba just days after punishing several Cuban judicial officials for their roles in jailing political dissidents on the island. Three Cuban judges and a prosecutor were forbidden from entering the United States on Wednesday, the latest sanctions from the Trump administration, which earlier declared a tough new policy on Cuba. "The sanctions announced this Wednesday were just the beginning," U.S. Embassy chief of mission Mike Hammer told reporters in Miami. "This administration is determined to sanction repressors. There will be consequences for their actions." U.S. President Donald Trump has already doubled down on sanctions since taking office in January, returning longtime foe Cuba to a U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, tightening rules on remittances and shutting off Biden-era migration programs. The 61-year-old Hammer, a career U.S. diplomat who arrived in Cuba just six months ago, has kept a busy schedule, wandering the country widely as he talks with dissidents, small business owners and Cubans of all walks of life. In videos produced by the U.S. embassy and shared on social media, Hammer, fluent in Spanish, plays dominoes with a group of children in Camaguey, visits the tomb of Cuban hero Jose Marti in Santiago and speaks with family members of jailed dissidents in homes throughout Cuba. His travels come as Cubans confront the worst economic downturn in decades, a growing crisis the Cuban government blames on the Cold War-era U.S. embargo, a web of restrictions that complicates financial transactions, trade and tourism. Hammer told reporters on Friday that those Cubans he had spoken with in his travels disagreed that the U.S. was to blame. "The people recognize that those responsible are the Cuban regime, it has nothing to do with any policy of the United States." His travels and assertions have infuriated the Cuban government, which accuses Hammer of seeking to stir up resentment in a bid to overthrow the island's communist leadership. But Cuba has not impeded Hammer's travels, despite issuing a recent warning in state-run media that its "patience has limits." Hammer told reporters he would continue his work on the island. "What are they scared of? I'm just a simple chief of mission talking with the people," he said. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
