US Senator calls on Spain and EU to step-up on Cuba

US Senator Mark Rubio has called on Spain and the EU to step-up on the crisis in Cuba.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio has called on Spain and the EU to defend the people of Cuba amid anti-government protests.

Speaking in the Senate, Rubio, whose parents are from Cuba, said Spain needs to do more.

“For all those who believe and have faith in the international community — and I still hold hope that one day it will work again — where’s Spain? Where’s the EU? Where are all these countries that for years have given cover and protection to the Cuban regime and condemned America?” he said.

“They should speak out clearly that what’s happening there is wrong, that repression is wrong. We should rally for that. We should use our position of strength and power in the world and our influence in diplomatic circles to make that happen,” he added.

The President of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, also tweeted, “Andalusia and Cuba have a historical and sentimental bond that makes us feel always close. My support for the Cuban people who are crying out for their freedom and fundamental rights these days. Your voice must be heard and not suppressed.”

The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, has called for the immediate release of journalist Camila Acosta. Acosta was detained on Monday when covering the civil unrest in Cuba for Spanish newspaper ABC.

“Spain defends the right to demonstrate freely and peacefully and asks the Cuban authorities to respect it…We demand the immediate release of Camila Acosta,” he tweeted.

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