Spain rejects military intervention in Latin American nations

Moscow (ANTARA) - Spain will not accept military intervention activities in Latin American countries, stated Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, in response to potential US military operations against Cuba. Previously in May, the Cuban Foreign Ministry stated that the nation would defend itself in the event of an attack from external parties. “We do not accept military intervention in Latin American countries. For us, Latin America goes far beyond Spanish foreign policy,” said Albares during an interview with the Financial Times when asked what Spain would do if a US military operation were to occur against Cuba. “These are nations that share fraternal bonds with us. We do not view them as foreign countries,” he continued. In recent months, the US has increased political and economic pressure on Cuba. Specifically, in January, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing import tariffs on oil-supplying countries to Cuba, and declared a national emergency citing an alleged threat by Cuba to US national security. This move is assessed to have exacerbated fuel shortages while simultaneously affecting power plants, transport, food production, healthcare, and education in Cuba.