‘Comrade Raul’: Beijing defends Cuba’s ex-leader over Florida murder warrant

What happened: China condemned a Florida arrest warrant for former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, accusing the United States of using the courts to pressure Havana. Why it matters: Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the 95-year-old "comrade Raul Castro," a "venerated" leader held in high international esteem, and said China opposed the move.

China condemned a Florida arrest warrant for former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, accusing the United States of using the courts to pressure Havana.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the 95-year-old "comrade Raul Castro," a "venerated" leader held in high international esteem, and said China opposed the move.