The United States has intensified pressure on Cuba, indicting former President Raul Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian planes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington prefers a diplomatic solution but sees little chance of a negotiated settlement with Cuba's communist government.

President Donald Trump hinted at possible military intervention, saying past presidents considered it but he might be the one to act. However, he denied that the deployment of the USS Nimitz carrier strike group to the Caribbean was meant to intimidate Cuba.

Rubio, a hardliner on Cuba, described the island as a national security threat due to its ties with China and Russia. He also announced the revocation of the green card of Adys Lastres Morera, sister of a senior GAESA executive, accusing the military-run conglomerate of enriching elites while ordinary Cubans suffer.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the indictment as a political stunt to justify aggression. Experts see parallels with the US operation against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. Cubans face severe blackouts, water shortages, and inflation amid US sanctions.

China and Russia have criticized US actions against Cuba.

Source: www.dw.com