US calls Cuba a security threat

The United States has labelled Cuba a national security threat and said a peaceful deal is unlikely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The announcement follows the indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two planes that killed US citizens.

Rubio said diplomacy is preferred but warned the chance of success is low.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denied the claims.

US authorities also arrested the sister of a Cuban military-linked executive in Florida for allegedly aiding the Cuban regime.