Cuba's Castro warns Trump to respect country's sovereignty

[webfact]

Cuba's Castro warns Trump to respect country's sovereignty

By Nelson Acosta

REUTERS

 

Regional leaders attend a speech of Cuban President Raul Castro during the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit in Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

 

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban President Raul Castro on Wednesday said Cuba hoped to continue to normalise relations with the United States, but made clear the Trump administration should not expect concessions affecting the country’s sovereignty.

 

President Donald Trump, before taking office, threatened to torpedo the still fragile detente between the former Cold War foes unless a “better deal” could be struck, without providing details. His aides have said current policy is under review.

 

"Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live side by side in a civilized manner, respecting our differences and promoting all that is of benefit for both countries and people," Castro said in his government's first remarks since Trump took office on Friday.

 

"But it should not hope that to achieve this Cuba will make concessions inherent to its independence and sovereignty," he said, in a speech to a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in the Dominican Republic broadcast live on Cuban television.

 

Seeking to reverse more than 50 years of U.S. efforts to force Communist-run Cuba to change by isolating it, Obama agreed with Castro in December 2014 to work to normalise relations. Since then the two countries have restored diplomatic ties and signed cooperation agreements.

 

Obama, a Democrat, used executive orders to circumvent the longstanding U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and ease some restrictions on travel and business. The embargo can only be lifted by the U.S. Congress, which is controlled by Republicans.

 

The normalization process has included the signing of 22 agreements between the two former Cold War foes and the use of executive orders to punch holes in the embargo.

 

The agreements include cooperation on environmental and security issues, immigration and postal service.

 

Travel to the Caribbean island from the United States has increased, with the start of direct flights and cruises and roaming agreements signed, but no manufacturing or significant trade deals have been inked.

 

Castro said he hoped the Trump administration would respect the region, but called “worrisome” its declared intentions to put at risk “our interests in the areas of trade, employment, migration and the environment,” apparently referring to Mexico.

 

(Additional reporting by Marc Frank; Editing by James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-26

[sanukjim]

Warns ? Warns ? What in the hell does he have to be able to WARN anybody ? Request maybe,but warn ? 55555

[little mary sunshine]

555555555. Or What?

[elgordo38]

Yes Donald they have the sun and sand and cheap labor you only have American tourists with fat wallets. Pay attention. If and when they come make sure they convert their greenbacks into Tourist peso's. Get the rip off started from the beginning. 

[rijb]

25 minutes ago, sanukjim said:

Warns ? Warns ? What in the hell does he have to be able to WARN anybody ? Request maybe,but warn ? 55555

 

A warning to Trump is like a red flag to a bull.

[Chip Allen]

VERY bad move on Raul's part. Trump cannot abide those who fail to prostrate themselves to his regime. All sorts of opportunities for war. La Vida Loca.

[IAMHERE]

thank you Raul, Trump has been warned. Now he deserves what you give him, right? Empty your jails and insane hospitals and send them all to the USA again, now that would be a real threat.

[Thaidream]

Trump is a neophyte in the game of World  Politics. Trump will threaten and take action based upon the feelings of his neo conservative backers and an ignorant cabinet. The only people who know the score are Generals Mattis and Kelly who will never bow down to Trump. Let's hope they can bring some sanity to this new administration.

[KBsinter]

4 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Trump is a neophyte in the game of World  Politics. Trump will threaten and take action based upon the feelings of his neo conservative backers and an ignorant cabinet. The only people who know the score are Generals Mattis and Kelly who will never bow down to Trump. Let's hope they can bring some sanity to this new administration.

 

Never bow huh, trump is the President I don"t think you understand the power he wields

EXECUTIVE ORDERS, and he can give any body there marching orders, 

 

given time he might surprise you,I hope so for the USA sake............lol 

[spidermike007]

Raul Castro does not have much to work with. He has a broken down nation, caused by horrific communist agrarian policies, the massive theft of the treasury by the capitalist pigs such as Che, Fidel and Raul Castro, and others who disguise themselves in the guise of a communist, then steal billions. The population despises those so called leaders. Their hospitals are without even the most basics like bandaids and aspirin. The levels of poverty there are astonishing. I have been there many times, as early as 15 years ago, and the average person was having a very hard time just eating three times a day. What Raul and his nasty brother have done to that nation and those people is an abomination. They have virtually no army, no air force, and one of the smallest and most feeble of navies. He is in no position to warm anyone. 

 

What Trump's intentions are toward Cuba is anyone's guess.