The statement was made by Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez at the 9th Extraordinary Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our Americas (ALBA), held over the weekend in Ecuador.

This threat constitutes a hostile act, an unquestionable violation of international law and an attempt against the sovereignty of Ecuador, and it offends our Americas, said Rodriguez, as cited by PL news agency.

The foreign minister cited article 22 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which stipulates that “The premises of the mission shall be inviolable… The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.”

Cuba underscored the need for strict respect for the Vienna Convention and emphasized that the privileges, inviolability and immunity of the Ecuadorean embassy must be guaranteed, said the foreign minister. 

Rodriguez said that it is illustrative and peculiar the silence maintained by the United States at the reasonable and legitimate questions posed by Ecuador with respect to the US position on Assange.

“We urge the US administration to give a clear reply to the following questions: Is there a legal process in effect or the intention to open a legal process against Julian Assange?” Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s attitude in this case has been dubious at best from the legal point of view, said Rodriguez.

The unquestionable fact is that this situation would not have existed if Julian Assange had not leaked secret documents revealing atrocities, crimes, the violations of human rights and international law, as well as interference with the domestic affairs of nations by the government of the United States.

“I reiterate Cuba’s support of the search for diplomatic solutions on the basis of consultations and negotiations, in tune with the principles of independence and juridical equality of the states, peaceful coexistence and the proscription of the use of threat of using force,” Rodriguez stressed.

“Cuba will resolutely support the actions that the Ecuadorean state may undertake to defend its sovereignty, which translates into the defense of international law, and the defense of the sovereignty of all our countries and of our Americas,” concluded the Cuban foreign minister.