Cuban govt characterises molotov attack on its embassy in Washington as 'terrorism'

The Cuban government has denounced the Sunday night molotov attack on its embassy in the US as a “terrorist attack. Allegedly, a man hurled two Molotov cocktails at the embassy building. After it happened, the United States had strongly condemned an attack on the embassy located in Washington.

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, the Foreign Minister of Cuba, voiced his concerns on social media, highlighting that this was the second violent assault on Cuba’s diplomatic mission. He referred to a similar incident that occurred in April 2020 when a man opened fire on the embassy building, luckily causing no injuries.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez also labeled this incident as a “terrorist attack” and expressed his thoughts on social media, characterizing it as a “violent and impotent act that could have endangered lives.” He called for action from the North American authorities.

On the other side, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the State Department, asserted their commitment to the safety and security of diplomatic facilities and personnel. He firmly stated that attacks and threats against diplomatic facilities are unacceptable. When questioned about the motive, Miller refrained from speculating while the investigation was ongoing. The State Department is collaborating with the Washington police in this investigation.

A reliable source in law enforcement informed CBS News that two incendiary devices resembling Molotov cocktails were discovered, but these devices were not highly sophisticated and likely did not detonate. The U.S. Secret Service is currently leading the investigation.

Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera disclosed that they promptly engaged with U.S. authorities, granting them access to the embassy to collect samples of the Molotov cocktails.

This attack occurred shortly after President Díaz-Canel returned to Havana following his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In New York, there were reports of Cuban demonstrators expressing their opposition to Díaz-Canel’s presence at the U.N., as seen in social media posts and videos.

The Cuban Foreign Minister voiced concerns about the use of terrorism by anti-Cuban groups, emphasizing that Cuba had previously warned U.S. authorities about such activities.

Following the shooting incident in April 2020, the Cuban Foreign Minister summoned Mara Tekach, the then-U.S. charge d’affaires in Havana, to formally protest what he described as a “terrorist aggression” against the embassy. This attack resulted in bullet holes in the embassy’s exterior walls and columns, along with damage to a street lamp and several glass panes and moldings on the building’s front.

The U.S. authorities arrested Alexander Alazo in connection with the 2020 shooting, charging him with multiple offenses, including “a violent attack on a foreign official or official premises using a deadly weapon,” as per the Justice Department. It’s worth noting that the Cuban embassy fully resumed its diplomatic mission after former President Barack Obama reestablished official diplomatic relations with Havana.

(With inputs from agencies)