Russia announced today that it will provide active support to Cuba despite U.S. attempts to intimidate and tighten the “noose of sanctions” around the island nation, which has a communist government, adding that Moscow remains in contact with Havana on all matters of mutual interest.

The United States announced yesterday, Wednesday, charges of murder against former president Raúl Castro, in a major escalation of Washington’s campaign against Cuba, where Castro’s communists have been in power since his late brother, Fidel Castro, led the 1959 revolution.

Zakharova’s statement on Cuba

“We will continue to provide the most active support to the brotherly Cuban people during this extremely difficult period,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing.

“We reiterate our full solidarity with Cuba and strongly condemn any attempts at gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of illegal unilateral restrictive measures, threats, and blackmail.”

Zakharova did not provide details on what form Russia’s support would take, but said the United States shows “intolerance toward any form of dissent and a cynical application of the revived Monroe Doctrine.”

“We remain in contact with Cuba on all issues of interest to both our countries,” she added in response to a question from Reuters.

Zakharova also dismissed a report by the Axios news website claiming that Cuba had received more than 300 drones from Russia and Iran for possible use against U.S. interests, calling it a fabricated claim as part of an information war.

AP-MPE