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The Government of Venezuela came to the defense of the Cuban regime this Friday, after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed a new executive order that imposes economic sanctions on countries and companies that maintain trade relations with Cuba.
In an official statement issued by Chancellor Yván Gil, Caracas described the measure as “a violation of international law” and accused Washington of attempting to “economically suffocate the Cuban people.”
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly rejects the executive order issued by the Government of the United States, which seeks to impose punitive measures on countries that choose to maintain legitimate trade relations with the Republic of Cuba," states the text signed by Gil, whose government has reportedly been distanced from Havana since Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped on January 3.
The statement also asserts that Trump's sanctions "constitute an act of unilateral and unjustified aggression" and reaffirms Venezuela's " unwavering solidarity" with the regime in Havana.
The new decree from the White House, signed on Thursday, aims to restrict access to financing, contracts, and international operations for any entity that trades with companies controlled by the Cuban military conglomerate GAESA.
The measure is part of the pressure strategy promoted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to accelerate the political transition on the island.
In addition, he claims that tariffs will be imposed on countries that supply oil to Havana.
From Caracas, the government of Delcy Rodríguez —interim president following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro— has maintained close coordination with Havana, despite the increasing pressure from Washington on both regimes.
Meanwhile, Trump defended the measure as "a necessary step to free the Cuban people from communist oppression" and warned that "those who finance Castroism will be treated as complicit in its repression."
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