Cuba To Renew Technical Cooperation With US Against Terrorism, Others

The Republic of Cuba has proposed to renew technical cooperation with the United States (US) in counterterrorism, money laundering prevention, combating drug trafficking, cybersecurity, human trafficking and financial crimes.

A statement issued on Monday by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and made available to reporters, said Cuba will continue to strengthen its legal framework to support these efforts, adding that both sides can make progress when they work together.

Cuba unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, while reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with the US and other nations to strengthen regional and international security.

It also declared that it does not harbour, support, finance, or permit terrorist or extremist organisations as being insinuated by the US, stressing that “our country maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorist financing and money laundering, and is committed to preventing, detecting, and combating illicit financial activities, in accordance with international standards.”

The statement further explained that any past interaction involving individuals subsequently designated as terrorists occurred solely in limited humanitarian contexts, linked to internationally recognised peace processes, at the request of their respective governments, in a fully transparent manner.

“Cuba does not host foreign military or intelligence bases and rejects the characterisation that it is a threat to the security of the United States. Nor has it supported any hostile activity against that country, nor will it allow its territory to be used against another nation.

“On the contrary, Cuba is willing to reactivate and expand bilateral cooperation with the United States to address shared transnational threats, without ever renouncing the defence of its sovereignty and independence.

“The Cuban and U.S. peoples benefit from constructive engagement, cooperation in accordance with the law, and peaceful coexistence. Cuba reaffirms its willingness to maintain a respectful and reciprocal dialogue with the U.S. government, aimed at tangible results, based on mutual interest and international law,” the statement added.