US tightening grip on Cuba: Raul Castro

Havana, July 27: The US is tightening its grip on Cuba and other leftist Latin American countries, Cuba’s former President Raul Castro has warned and said must be met a strong response. “For us, as well as Venezuela and Nicaragua, it is clear the grip is tightening and our country must be clear about responding with force,” Castro told a 10,000 strong crowd gathered outside the historic Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. Castro, who continues to serve as the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, said Washington’s attempt to isolate the country will be faced with resistance. Havana and Washington officially resumed diplomatic ties in 2015 under the Barack Obama administration. (IANS)