In a bid to counter the impact of U.S. sanctions, Iran and Cuba announced their commitment to enhancing relations during a joint statement in Tehran. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel emphasized the need for cooperation to counter the economic challenges posed by the sanctions imposed on both nations by the United States.
Raisi highlighted the potential for neutralizing sanctions through the exchange of capacities between the two countries. “There is a serious determination between the two countries to develop relations,” he stated, emphasizing their shared opposition to the system of domination.
Diaz-Canel, appreciating Iran’s support against the U.S. embargo on Cuba, expressed gratitude for Iran’s assistance in their “fight against the cruel embargo.” Seven memorandums of understanding and cooperation were signed, covering sectors such as science and technology, health, agriculture, energy, mining, communications, and medicine. The agreement comes at a crucial time for both nations, with Cuba grappling with its worst economic crisis since the 1990s, and Iran facing record currency depreciation and inflation. Meanwhile, the United States has charged former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, Victor Manuel Rocha, with spying for Cuba over a span of 40 years. The Justice Department labeled Rocha’s actions as one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations by a foreign agent into the U.S. government.
Rocha, who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, faces charges of acting as an illegal foreign agent and using a fraudulently obtained passport. Attorney General Merrick Garland described Rocha’s alleged actions as seeking positions within the U.S. government to access non-public information and influence U.S. foreign policy. The 73-year-old Rocha, arrested and expected to appear before a federal judge in Miami, worked for the State Department from 1981 to 2002. The court documents reveal that Rocha admitted his decades-long collaboration with Cuba during meetings in 2022 and 2023 with an undercover FBI agent posing as a covert Cuban intelligence representative.
The developments highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics and strategic alliances in play, underscoring the challenges faced by nations navigating global relationships amid sanctions, espionage accusations, and shifting diplomatic landscapes.
(with inputs from agencies)