Cuba denies security threat accusations as US raises pressure

"Havana says it is ready for constructive engagement' with Washington as White House moves to choke off oil supplies. The Cuban government has rejected accusations that it poses a threat to the security of the United States, insisting that it stands ready to cooperate with Washington. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday calling for dialogue and stressing that the Caribbean island does not support terrorism."

"Cuba reaffirms its willingness to maintain a respectful and reciprocal dialogue, oriented toward tangible results, with the United States government, based on mutual interest and international law. The statement came hours after Trump said diplomatic contact with Cuba had been revived, noting that his administration is talking to the highest people in the Cuban government. Cuba is a failing nation for a long time. But now it doesn't have Venezuela to prop it up, Trump told reporters late on Sunday."

"Venezuela was Cuba's top energy supplier, but since US forces toppled Maduro, the flow of oil to the island has all but come to a halt. The US has also been intercepting and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean a move that critics say amounts to piracy. Beyond oil supplies, Cuba had close economic and security relations with Maduro's government."

Havana says it stands ready for constructive engagement with Washington and rejects accusations of posing a threat to US security. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for dialogue and stressed that the Caribbean island does not support terrorism. The declaration followed a spike in tensions after the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, linked to President Donald Trump's drive for US dominance in the hemisphere. Cuba affirmed willingness to pursue respectful, reciprocal dialogue aimed at tangible results based on mutual interest and international law. Venezuelan oil supplies have largely stopped since US forces toppled Maduro, and US interceptions of tankers continue, creating risks of a serious humanitarian crisis.

Read at www.aljazeera.com