Russia said on Thursday it would continue providing “active support” to Cuba, accusing the United States of trying to intimidate the Communist-run island through sanctions and political pressure.

The statement came a day after Washington announced murder charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, marking a major escalation in already strained US-Cuba relations.

Moscow Condemns US Pressure

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow stood firmly with Havana during what she described as a difficult period for the country.

“We will continue to provide the most active support to the fraternal Cuban people during this extremely difficult period,” Zakharova told reporters.

She strongly criticised Washington’s actions, accusing the US of interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state through sanctions, threats and pressure tactics.

Russia Accuses US Of Reviving Monroe Doctrine

Zakharova also accused Washington of showing “intolerance towards any form of dissent” and described American policy as a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, the 19th-century US policy historically used to justify influence over Latin America.

She did not provide details about what kind of support Russia planned to offer Cuba.

US-Cuba Tensions Deepen

The latest tensions follow the US decision to bring murder charges against Raúl Castro, whose family has dominated Cuban politics since Fidel Castro led the 1959 revolution.

The move signals a sharp escalation in Washington’s campaign against Cuba and is likely to further deepen geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Cuba and the United States.

(with inputs from Reuters)