CUBA warned the US against using its embassy as a base to meddle in the country’s internal affairs yesterday, branding the act illegal and a breach of international conventions.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla hit out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with allegations that he encouraged activities to “undermine the Cuban constitutional order” following the arrest of “counter-revolutionary” Jose Daniel Ferrer last month.

The Cuban opposition leader is portrayed as a human-rights defender, fighting against oppression and dictatorship in the Caribbean island which has been subjected to an almost 60-year economic blockade by Washington.

But Mr Ferrer has been accused of engaging in actions to destabilise Cuba, funded by the shady National Endowment for Democracy (NED) at the behest of the US government and intelligence services.

He had previously been arrested on charges of the attempted murder of a Cuban government official. Following his detention again last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was swift to demand Mr Ferrer’s release.

Mr Pompeo warned of a “flagrant violation of human rights” and vowed to “increase sanctions and trade restrictions” against Cuba — already some of the world’s most punitive and damaging economic measures.

The US has been accused by Cuban authorities of using its embassy in Havana to launch a smear campaign “as part of an escalating policy of hostility” against Cuba following the arrest of Mr Ferrer.

Mr Rodriguez said: “Mara Tekach, in charge of business for the US diplomatic mission, personally leads the open instigation to violence, disruption of order and disrespect of the forces of order on the part of this citizen.

“Cuba also denounces that the US embassy in Cuba — and particularly Tekach — [have] focused in recent months on the failed attempt to recruit mercenaries, to foster division and confusion among the population.”

He said that these activities undermine the Cuban constitution and violate the Vienna Convention — an international agreement regulating treaties between states.

“Pompeo cheers coups d’etats and ignores murders, acts of barbarism, repression and violations of human rights by his allies,” Mr Rodriguez charged.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel reiterated that Cuba will never renounce its sovereignty and independence, despite Washington’s repeated attempts to crush its people and the Cuban Revolution.