CUBAN Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has accused the US of pressing members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to sign a joint statement condemning the socialist island.

Mr Rodriguez claimed that all 35 of the Washington-based international organisation’s members had been urged to sign a letter, reportedly signed by hawkish US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, that accuses Cuba of arresting peaceful protesters during the disturbances which took place on July 11.

In the letter, Mr Blinken reportedly states that “thousands of Cubans participated in peaceful demonstrations to protest against deterioration of living conditions and demand a change” and condemns arrests made during the protests.