Mexican president defends self-determination after U.S. charges against Cuba's Raul Castro

MEXICO CITY, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday defended the principle of self-determination and voiced disagreement with the U.S. decision to bring criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro.

"What is the point of accusing someone now for something that happened 30 years ago?" Sheinbaum said at her daily press conference.

The U.S. Department of Justice has recently filed an indictment against Castro, accusing him of playing an alleged role in the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by the Cuban-American exile group Brothers to the Rescue.

Castro, 94, was Cuba's minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the time.

According to the Cuban government, the aircraft had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace and ignored prior warnings, leaving Cuba no choice but to exercise what it described as its right to self-defense.

Sheinbaum said the United States has always used the issue of drug trafficking as a pretext for interference, adding that Mexico does not share that approach.

She also said Mexico should remain mindful of history while continuing to cooperate with the United States where possible.

"We do not want to fight with them," she said, adding that Mexico seeks cooperation while prioritizing the interests of both peoples and maintaining constructive relationships between the two governments. Enditem