US Adds 5 Entries To Cuba Sanctions List For Links To Military, Intelligence - Bolton

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) The United States has added five entries to its Cuba restricted list, including Aerogaviota airline, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said during remarks at the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association in Miami on Wednesday.

"Today, we are also announcing five additions to the Cuba restricted list, which prohibits direct financial transaction with entities tied to Cuba's military intelligence security services and personnel," Bolton said. "These additions include Aerogaviota, owned by the Cuban military, among others."

Bolton also announced US sanctions against Venezuela's Central Bank, saying the move should send a strong warning to external actors, including Russia, against deploying military assets to Venezuela to support President Nicolas Maduro.

The United States will consider any future foreign military deployments to Venezuela a "provocative" action that threatens international peace and security, Bolton said.

He also criticized Russia over its military flights to Venezuela, saying they carried 35 tons of "unknown cargo" and 100 military personnel to the country.

Bolton also emphasized that the Monroe Doctrine - an 1820s US policy of opposing foreign intrusions in the Western Hemisphere - is alive and well.

The new US sanctions come as President Donald Trump steps up pressure on Cuba over its support for Maduro.

�The US has repeatedly sanctioned the government of Maduro in a campaign to back self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido in his bid to oust Maduro.

The United States and several other countries back Guaido, while Russia, China, Bolivia, Turkey and numerous other states recognize Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president.

Maduro has called Guaido a puppet of the United States and has accused Washington of trying to orchestrate a coup in Venezuela to replace the country's legitimate government ans seize its natural resources.