U.S. accuses Cuba of sweeping spy campaign, aiding American left
The U.S. State Department has released a report accusing Cuba of infiltrating the American government and supporting left-wing domestic terrorism. The report arrives amidst heightened anti-communist rhetoric from the Trump administration ahead of the November elections.
Why it matters
This marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, potentially signaling a return to Cold War-era foreign policy stances.
A U.S. State Department report on Monday accused Cuban spies of infiltrating the highest levels of government in Washington and aiding "left-wing terrorism" on American soil.
Containing little new information, the report, titled "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism," comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes to end communist rule of the island while amping up anti-leftist rhetoric at home.
A months-long pressure campaign has seen Washington effectively impose an oil embargo on Cuba, while issuing economic sanctions against key state-run companies and even indicting the former president, Raul Castro.
Ahead of U.S. elections in November, Mr. Trump and other Republican leaders have meanwhile revived Cold War-style rhetoric portraying left-wing US political figures as a communist "menace."
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