Published 17:53 IST, March 16th 2020
US sanctions Raul Castro for supporting Venezuela's Maduro government
The United States on Sept 26 imposed sanctions on Cuban leader Raul Castro along with his children for helping the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela
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The United States on September 26 imposed sanctions on Cuban leader Raul Castro along with his children for helping the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The recent US Actions which have come are slowly reverting back to pre-Obama opening up of US-Cuba relations.
Pompeo makes statement
“As the first secretary of Cuba's Armed Forces, Castro is responsible for Cuba's actions to prop up the former Maduro regime in Venezuela through violence, intimidation, and repression" said Mike Pompeo has revealed in a statement reiterating Trump administration's position on Maduro. Adding that "In concert with Maduro's military and intelligence officers, members of the Cuban security forces have been involved in gross human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela including torture. He also tweeted regarding the same-
Today we designate Raul Castro and his immediate family for his involvement in gross violations of human rights. The Cuban regime's disregard for human rights and use of violence to prop up the former Maduro regime are responsible for the ongoing crises in #Cuba and #Venezuela.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 26, 2019
Background
The US, along with 50 other nations, supported the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido who in January earlier this year had declared himself as the interim president of Venezuela calling for Maduro's re-election. Maduro who has the support of Cuba, Russia and China, as well as China, have accused Guiado and the US of coup attempt. Castro is currently the serving First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba which is the highest position in the country and has succeeded his brother Fidel Castro in 2011. The recent sanctions are the latest in Trump's stream of sanctions that Trump administration has taken against USA's old enemy reversing back from the Obama-era opening up of US-Cuba relations then.
(With agency inputs)
21:30 IST, September 27th 2019