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China has condemned renewed pressure from the United States on Cuba, denouncing recent sanctions and threats as violations of international law and pledging continued support for Cuba’s government.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, top US officials have indicated that Cuba could be next in their pressure campaign to remove leaders in the Western Hemisphere following the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Cuba, which is heavily reliant on Venezuela for oil and receives about 50% of its supply from Caracas, is no longer receiving Venezuelan oil shipments after President Trump announced a halt. This, coupled with Mexico, its second-largest oil partner, recently holding back an oil shipment to Cuba, has resulted in the Cuban government openly accusing the United States of putting pressure on its sovereignty and vowing to fight back against what it calls “imperialistic” drives that threaten Cuban sovereignty.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, China has criticized the United States for its escalating actions against Cuba. In a statement posted on X, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “deeply concerned about and strongly condemns the U.S. moves,” calling on the US to “stop depriving the Cuban people of their rights to subsistence and development, stop disrupting regional peace and stability, stop its violations of international law, and immediately lift its blockade and sanctions against Cuba.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reinforced the message at a press conference, stating: “China expresses its deep concern and opposition to the United States’ actions… We urge the United States… to stop undermining regional peace and stability,” and vowing that “China will continue to provide Cuba with as much support and assistance as possible.”

Cuba, for its part, has issued forceful denunciations of the US campaign, framing the recent oil cutoff and military threats as part of a broader attack on its sovereignty. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Cuban ambassador to Colombia Carlos de Cespedes accused Washington of conducting “international piracy” and imposing a “marine siege” on the country. “Cuba is facing more powerful US threats than it has in the 67 years since the revolution,” de Cespedes said, referencing the decades of US sanctions and interventions. He insisted that the island nation would not yield: “It will not subjugate us or break our determination even if a single drop of oil doesn’t reach us.”

He added, “We do not fear the US. We do not accept to be threatened or terrorised. Those seeking peace must be ready to defend it.”

There has been no comment from the US.