The US has characterized Cuba as a growing security threat linked to China and Russia, despite simultaneously pursuing dialogue for a political transition. This follows renewed friction over US charges against a former Cuban leader.

One day after the United States brought criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio portrayed Cuba as both a growing national security threat tied to China and Russia and a candidate for a negotiated political transition. The comments came amid renewed friction between Washington and Beijing over Cuba after China criticised the US charges against Castro and accused...