China condemns U.S. legal action against former Cuban President Raul Castro, calls for end to Cuba blockade and backs Havana’s sovereignty

China on Wednesday condemned U.S. legal action against former Cuban President Raul Castro, with its Foreign Ministry calling for an immediate end to the economic blockade against Cuba. The ministry said Beijing opposes the use of judicial measures to exert pressure on Havana and supports Cuba in defending its sovereignty and resisting external interference.

The remarks followed a Florida court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for the 95-year-old Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based Cuban exile group.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Monday that Castro faces a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the incident. The announcement followed a federal indictment in May regarding the same case.