The Cuban government intensified its accusations against the Trump administration by stating that Washington maintains a policy of tolerance and impunity towards groups that plan violent actions against the island, in a televised comment broadcast in the days leading up to this Tuesday.
"In the current U.S. administration, there is tolerance and impunity regarding the actions of those who plan violent and terrorist organizations against Cuba," stated the official commentator, who listed seven points that, according to Havana, characterize the bilateral relationship: intensification of the economic embargo, pressure on medical collaboration, attacks on tourism, suspension of remittances, tolerance of armed infiltrations, destabilizing media campaigns, and confusing narratives directed at the Cuban population.
The most recent case supporting the official accusation is the armed infiltration attempt of February 25, when the
In the confrontation, four members of the group died —identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, Pavel Alling Peña, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Héctor Duani Cruz Correa— and six were arrested and formally charged with terrorism by the Prosecutor's Office in Villa Clara. The regime points to Maritza Lugo Fernández, a resident of the United States and linked to the 30th of November movement, as the intellectual author.
"The most recent example is the incursion of a boat and the intention of a group of terrorists to infiltrate armed with high-caliber and precision weapons, explosives, and an ample supply of military equipment to carry out attacks," affirmed the official commentator.
The second incident mentioned by the regime involves 10 Panamanian citizens detained in Havana on February 28, accused of propaganda against the constitutional order for painting posters with messages like "Down with tyranny," "Communism: enemy of the community," and "We trust Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and Mike Hammer." The MININT stated that each participant would receive between $1,000 and $1,500 upon returning to Panama. However, a video released by opponents shows the Panamanians delivering food to those in need, contradicting the official version. Opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer publicly rejected the MININT's narrative.
The government of Panama confirmed the arrests and activated diplomatic channels: the chancellor Javier Martínez-Acha spoke with Bruno Rodríguez, and Ambassador Edwin Pitty met with the detainees last Saturday at Villa Marista, headquarters of State Security.
All of this occurs within the framework of the executive order signed by Trump on January 29, which declared a national emergency concerning Cuba and imposed secondary sanctions on countries and companies that supply oil to the island. The resulting energy crisis has led to blackouts of up to 15 hours daily in Havana and the collapse of the National Electric System.
The official commentator summarized the regime's stance with a phrase that appeals to the independentist ideology: "Plan against plan, Martí would say," while accusing Washington of "aggressiveness, blaming us for what they provoke, and manipulation regarding the supposed dialogue to which we are willing to engage with transparency and on equal terms."
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