Chronicle on Cuba - May 2004

Security

May 11: The decision of the Bush administration to use C-130 Air Force military planes to increment subversive broadcasts to Cuba raises the temperature of already heated bilateral relations. Although all the new destabilizing measures are aggressive, use of a warplane is especially alarming due to the real risk of incidents on the maritime frontier between the two countries. In this context, Cuban analysts have warned of the danger of C-130s flying in anti-Cuban actions, including the risk of a mechanical difficulty or other accident that could provoke an unforeseeable outcome. (Prensa Latina, 11/5/04)

May 12: Cuba is in "a state of alert" and has increased the military preparations fearing a US invasion is near, the Cuban Ambassador to Honduras, Alberto Gonzalez, said during a press conference. Cuba is prepared to face such an invasion, the diplomat added. Defense zones have been created in every city in Cuba and every zone is protected, Gonzalez said. Cuba fears a US invasion since the beginning of the war in Iraq as the US President, George W. Bush, has an aggressive policy to attack the enemies of the USA, Gonzalez added. The USA has included Cuba in the list of countries, protecting terrorists, Gonzalez said. The USA also accuses Cuba that the country produces biological weapons, he added. (Latin American News Digest, 13/5/04)