RTWed, 08 May 2019 15:57 UTC
© Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
The US is abusing its power in lifting a ban on lawsuits against the Cuban government, according to Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell. He also lashed out at Washington's "cowboy" intervention threats against Venezuela.
Borrell roasted US President Donald Trump's administration policies in Latin America during a TV interview on Wednesday. He was particularly fired up about Washington's decision last month to begin enforcing the 1996 Helms-Burton act, which essentially allows Cuban-Americans to sue the Cuban government over property confiscated during the 1959 Socialist revolution.
"This is further proof of a lack of cooperation on the part of the US administration," Borrell said, adding that Spain opposes the measure and considers it "an abuse of power."
"This is going to open a legal battle, we will go to the WTO [World Trade Organization]."
The US is taking the controversial step in order to put pressure on Havana over their
alleged role in assisting the embattled Venezuelan government during a coup attempt by opposition forces backed by Washington.
While Spain has called for the formation of a group composed of EU and Latin American governments aimed at facilitating new elections in Venezuela, the US has been saber-rattling, saying that military options to enforce regime change are still on the table.
"The contact group which we are part of is not on the same wavelength as the US administration, which is like a cowboy who says 'look at me, I will draw my gun.'"
Although stressing that Spain does not consider it a mistake to have recognized Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela, he emphasized the need for a "peaceful, negotiated and democratic solution" to the crisis gripping the country.
Comment: It appears Spain will only go so far in supporting the Empire's activities in Venezuela.
"Spain will not permit its embassy to be converted into a center of political activity by Mr Lopez, or anyone else," Borrell said on the sidelines of a summit in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
The 48-year-old Lopez, his wife Lilian Tintori, and their daughter have been staying in the Spanish embassy since Wednesday after a failed military coup in the country.
It's unclear how Madrid is going to keep its promise as media reports suggest that Lopez, who has strong links to the US, masterminded the current political crisis in the country despite being under house arrest. He was restricted in July 2017 for inciting violence during the 2014 anti-government protests. The closest ally and mentor of opposition leader and self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido, Lopez will surely enjoy a lot more freedom within the Spanish embassy.
"Lopez has not asked for political asylum because, according to our legislation, for that you must request it while on Spanish territory," Borrell added.
Spain was among the 50 nations that recognized Guaido's claim to power after he declared himself the head of state in January. However, Madrid also never cut official ties with Venezuela's socialist government of Nicolas Maduro.
Comment: It appears Spain will only go so far in supporting the Empire's activities in Venezuela.