# Cuba envoy criticises US tariff policy, defends intellectual wealth

2026-09-20T05:12:04+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Cuba's Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera, said on Saturday his country opposes the US policy of imposing tariffs for political reasons. Speaking during a two-day visit to Odisha, he said no nation has the right to impose tariffs unilaterally. He accused Washington of trying to stop trade between Russia and the rest of the world. His remarks came after the US House of Representatives passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which authorises President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including China and India. Aguilera said Cuba stands united at home and unwilling to live as anyone's dependent. He also said ties between New Delhi and Havana remain intact and Cuba is grateful for India's moral support. Cuba is a partner country of BRICS.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both sources report the Cuban envoy's remarks identically, reproducing his criticism of US tariff policy as political coercion and his defence of Havana's position. Hindustan Times and India Today present the same wire-style account without adding or omitting any material detail: neither outlet editorialises, challenges the envoy's claims about the US detaining Venezuela's president, or examines Trump's broad discretion under the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The uniform framing means no stance difference to compare, the coverage functions as a straight transcript of Aguilera's Odisha press statements. The real implication is that India's own exposure to potential US tariffs on Russian oil buyers was left unexplored by both outlets.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/we-are-opposed-to-us-policy-of-imposing-tariff-for-political-reasons-cuban-envoy-to-india-101789842987597.html>
  Straight wire-style reproduction of envoy's remarks without editorial framing
- indiatoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cuba-ambassador-india-opposes-us-donald-trump-tariffs-russia-sanctions-brics-ties-ptag-2998617-2026-09-20?utm_source=rss>
  Straight wire-style reproduction of envoy's remarks without editorial framing

Tags: BRICS, Cuba, India, Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera, Russia, United States tariffs
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