"Vietnam is deeply concerned about the judicial measure by the US Department of Justice issuing a criminal indictment against Raul Castro, former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and former President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba", Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated on 22/5.
Vietnam calls for constructive dialogue based on respect for international law, the United Nations (UN) Charter, and respect for the independence, sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations.
Once again, Vietnam strongly reaffirms its traditional solidarity and friendship with the brotherly Cuban people, calling for the implementation of UN General Assembly resolutions demanding the lifting of the unilateral embargo and sanctions against Cuba.
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
The US Department of Justice announced on 20/5 that it had indicted Mr. Castro on charges related to the 1996 shooting down of two planes originating from Florida. The incident resulted in four deaths and a sharp decline in US-Cuba relations.
According to the Cuban government, these two planes were operated by the terrorist organization Hermanos al Rescate, based in Miami, Florida, and had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace with hostile intentions.
Havana stated that Washington distorted historical facts, overlooking many details, including official complaints Cuba had repeatedly sent to the US Department of State, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, regarding over 25 violations of Cuban airspace by Hermanos al Rescate between 1994 and 1996.
Cuba also accused the then US government of ignoring official and public warnings from Cuban officials, as well as warning messages conveyed directly to the US president about the severity and potential consequences of these violations.
Granma newspaper, the official organ of the Communist Party of Cuba, published a statement from the Cuban government on 20/5 asserting that the US "has absolutely no legitimacy or jurisdiction to make such accusations", calling it a "political provocation".
Ngoc Anh
