٠٠:٠٥:٠٠Mandatory Credit: US State Department
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel denied Cuban allegations that the US Embassy had incited anti-government protests in Havana on Sunday, during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday.
"The United States is not behind these protests in Cuba, and the accusation of that is absurd," the spokesperson stated.
"I think what we are seeing is a reflection of the dire situation on the island. We urge the Cuban government to refrain from violence and unjust detentions and are calling on the authorities to respect the Cuban citizens’ right to peaceful assembly," he continued.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned top US diplomat Benjamin Ziff following the nationwide protests, which came amid power cuts and reports of food shortages.
During the briefing, Patel also addressed the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification's (IPC) report of famine being 'imminent' in the Gaza Strip, calling it 'heart-wrenching'.
"We have seen this alarming and heart-wrenching report. It is quite stark. There are children who are starving, that are malnourished as a result of the fact that humanitarian assistance can’t get to them," Patel said.
"That is why we believe so strongly that everything must be done to scale up the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he continued.
Patel was questioned on Israel's role in allowing increased aid deliveries into the Strip, to which he stated that 'Israel has legitimate security concerns.' The country said it 'takes great effort to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid and acts to enable the entrance of such in a safe and co-ordinated manner'. It has also accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the Palestinian group strongly refuted.
"We’re respectful of appropriate steps that need to be taken for assessing security for anything that might be entering Gaza," Patel added.
In late January, at least 15 countries, including Britain, Germany and the United States, suspended funding to the aid and services provider, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), after Israel alleged that some of the agency's staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.
In response to the allegations made by Israel, UNRWA said it had terminated the contracts of the accused and launched a full investigation into the claims.
On Sunday, Senator Chris Van Hollen called the allegations against UNRWA 'flat-out lies.'
Patel addressed Hollen's claim and reaffirmed Washington's stance that Israel’s allegations against employees in the UN agency are 'credible' and 'legitimate.' He also added that the state is 'focused on this ongoing investigation.'
The IDF announced the launch of an operation on 'limited areas' of Northern Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital on Monday.
During the operation Israeli forces allegedly 'attacked' an Al Jazeera journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, and arrested him alongside other journalists near the hospital. According to the network, the journalist was released 12 hours later.
Patel said that Washington requested more information on the matter from Tel Aviv, which, at the time of publication has not commented on Al Jazeera's allegations.
"No journalist should be targeted in order to silence their voices in this conflict or any other. And the circumstances are as such in Gaza where we believe the journalism and the voices of journalists is more important than ever," he stated.
Patel also commented on the Russian presidential election results, jokingly calling it 'a nail-biter' before alleging that it was 'an undemocratic process' and stating that the US will likely not be making any 'congratulatory calls' to incumbent President Vladimir Putin on his victory.
"In all seriousness, to be very clear, the Russian people deserve a free and fair election and the ability to choose among a group of candidates representing a diverse set of views," the spokesperson said.
President Vladimir Putin secured more than 87 percent of the vote, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each - making this his biggest election victory since coming to power in 2000.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.
US State Dep spox calls on Cuban govt to 'refrain from violence', calls claims of US protest incitement 'absurd'
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel denied Cuban allegations that the US Embassy had incited anti-government protests in Havana on Sunday, during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday.
"The United States is not behind these protests in Cuba, and the accusation of that is absurd," the spokesperson stated.
"I think what we are seeing is a reflection of the dire situation on the island. We urge the Cuban government to refrain from violence and unjust detentions and are calling on the authorities to respect the Cuban citizens’ right to peaceful assembly," he continued.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned top US diplomat Benjamin Ziff following the nationwide protests, which came amid power cuts and reports of food shortages.
During the briefing, Patel also addressed the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification's (IPC) report of famine being 'imminent' in the Gaza Strip, calling it 'heart-wrenching'.
"We have seen this alarming and heart-wrenching report. It is quite stark. There are children who are starving, that are malnourished as a result of the fact that humanitarian assistance can’t get to them," Patel said.
"That is why we believe so strongly that everything must be done to scale up the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he continued.
Patel was questioned on Israel's role in allowing increased aid deliveries into the Strip, to which he stated that 'Israel has legitimate security concerns.' The country said it 'takes great effort to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid and acts to enable the entrance of such in a safe and co-ordinated manner'. It has also accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the Palestinian group strongly refuted.
"We’re respectful of appropriate steps that need to be taken for assessing security for anything that might be entering Gaza," Patel added.
In late January, at least 15 countries, including Britain, Germany and the United States, suspended funding to the aid and services provider, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), after Israel alleged that some of the agency's staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.
In response to the allegations made by Israel, UNRWA said it had terminated the contracts of the accused and launched a full investigation into the claims.
On Sunday, Senator Chris Van Hollen called the allegations against UNRWA 'flat-out lies.'
Patel addressed Hollen's claim and reaffirmed Washington's stance that Israel’s allegations against employees in the UN agency are 'credible' and 'legitimate.' He also added that the state is 'focused on this ongoing investigation.'
The IDF announced the launch of an operation on 'limited areas' of Northern Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital on Monday.
During the operation Israeli forces allegedly 'attacked' an Al Jazeera journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, and arrested him alongside other journalists near the hospital. According to the network, the journalist was released 12 hours later.
Patel said that Washington requested more information on the matter from Tel Aviv, which, at the time of publication has not commented on Al Jazeera's allegations.
"No journalist should be targeted in order to silence their voices in this conflict or any other. And the circumstances are as such in Gaza where we believe the journalism and the voices of journalists is more important than ever," he stated.
Patel also commented on the Russian presidential election results, jokingly calling it 'a nail-biter' before alleging that it was 'an undemocratic process' and stating that the US will likely not be making any 'congratulatory calls' to incumbent President Vladimir Putin on his victory.
"In all seriousness, to be very clear, the Russian people deserve a free and fair election and the ability to choose among a group of candidates representing a diverse set of views," the spokesperson said.
President Vladimir Putin secured more than 87 percent of the vote, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each - making this his biggest election victory since coming to power in 2000.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.
Mandatory Credit: US State Department
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel denied Cuban allegations that the US Embassy had incited anti-government protests in Havana on Sunday, during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday.
"The United States is not behind these protests in Cuba, and the accusation of that is absurd," the spokesperson stated.
"I think what we are seeing is a reflection of the dire situation on the island. We urge the Cuban government to refrain from violence and unjust detentions and are calling on the authorities to respect the Cuban citizens’ right to peaceful assembly," he continued.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned top US diplomat Benjamin Ziff following the nationwide protests, which came amid power cuts and reports of food shortages.
During the briefing, Patel also addressed the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification's (IPC) report of famine being 'imminent' in the Gaza Strip, calling it 'heart-wrenching'.
"We have seen this alarming and heart-wrenching report. It is quite stark. There are children who are starving, that are malnourished as a result of the fact that humanitarian assistance can’t get to them," Patel said.
"That is why we believe so strongly that everything must be done to scale up the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he continued.
Patel was questioned on Israel's role in allowing increased aid deliveries into the Strip, to which he stated that 'Israel has legitimate security concerns.' The country said it 'takes great effort to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid and acts to enable the entrance of such in a safe and co-ordinated manner'. It has also accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the Palestinian group strongly refuted.
"We’re respectful of appropriate steps that need to be taken for assessing security for anything that might be entering Gaza," Patel added.
In late January, at least 15 countries, including Britain, Germany and the United States, suspended funding to the aid and services provider, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), after Israel alleged that some of the agency's staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.
In response to the allegations made by Israel, UNRWA said it had terminated the contracts of the accused and launched a full investigation into the claims.
On Sunday, Senator Chris Van Hollen called the allegations against UNRWA 'flat-out lies.'
Patel addressed Hollen's claim and reaffirmed Washington's stance that Israel’s allegations against employees in the UN agency are 'credible' and 'legitimate.' He also added that the state is 'focused on this ongoing investigation.'
The IDF announced the launch of an operation on 'limited areas' of Northern Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital on Monday.
During the operation Israeli forces allegedly 'attacked' an Al Jazeera journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, and arrested him alongside other journalists near the hospital. According to the network, the journalist was released 12 hours later.
Patel said that Washington requested more information on the matter from Tel Aviv, which, at the time of publication has not commented on Al Jazeera's allegations.
"No journalist should be targeted in order to silence their voices in this conflict or any other. And the circumstances are as such in Gaza where we believe the journalism and the voices of journalists is more important than ever," he stated.
Patel also commented on the Russian presidential election results, jokingly calling it 'a nail-biter' before alleging that it was 'an undemocratic process' and stating that the US will likely not be making any 'congratulatory calls' to incumbent President Vladimir Putin on his victory.
"In all seriousness, to be very clear, the Russian people deserve a free and fair election and the ability to choose among a group of candidates representing a diverse set of views," the spokesperson said.
President Vladimir Putin secured more than 87 percent of the vote, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each - making this his biggest election victory since coming to power in 2000.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.