Cuba condemns US sanctions against Venezuela

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Cuba has rejected new economic and financial sanctions imposed on Venezuela by US President Donald Trump, as tensions between Caracas and Washington continue to rise.

Havana condemns the new "unilateral and arbitrary" measures against Venezuela, deputy foreign minister Abelardo Moreno said in a statement on Saturday.

"Cuba rejects these unjust and illegal sanctions, which violate international law, against Venezuela and the government led by President Nicolas Maduro," said the statement.

Cubans in Havana rally to support Venezuela in a mounting row with the US. /Xinhua Photo

The statement, published on the foreign ministry's website, added that it is "imperative" to defend the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a peace zone signed by all heads of state of the region in 2014.

"Our continent can't forget its own history, we must defend the principles and commitment of that declaration," added the statement.

Venezuela is Cuba's main political ally in the region and its second largest trading partner as Havana receives around 100,000 barrels of oil daily from the former in exchange for medical staff and other advisers.

The new sanctions, signed Friday by Trump, will prohibit dealings in new debt and equity issued by the government of Venezuela and its state oil company.

Military threat in addition to sanctions

A two-day nationwide military drill is underway in Venezuela which started Saturday, aimed at keeping the country battle ready in case of a foreign invasion, as President Trump recently said he would not rule out a "military option" on Venezuela to oust President Maduro from power.

Around 200,000 troops and 900,000 "combatants" are participating in the exercise, the army said.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency