China Backs Cuba After US Indicts Raúl Castro Over 1996 Plane Shootdown

12 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 21

Beijing urged Washington to stop using sanctions, courts and threats against Cuba after a US court charged former leader Raúl Castro, 94, and five others over the 1996 downing of two planes.
The indictment alleges conspiracy to kill US nationals in an attack that killed four people, including three US citizens aboard Brothers to the Rescue aircraft flying between Cuba and Florida.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China firmly supports Cuba's sovereignty and opposes outside pressure, while Havana called the case a political manoeuvre with no legal basis.
The clash comes as Trump intensifies pressure on Cuba with new sanctions and an oil blockade that has worsened blackouts and food shortages, deepening a long-running US-Cuba dispute.

With a US blockade causing a humanitarian crisis, could this indictment ignite a military conflict in the Caribbean?

As China deploys new laws to counter US sanctions, is a global economic showdown over Cuba looming?

After 30 years, is the indictment of Raúl Castro about justice for past crimes or a strategy for future regime change?