China has denounced wider US sanctions against Cuba as "illegal," adding to international criticism of American economic restrictions on the Caribbean nation. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba over trade and diplomatic relations.

Cuban Ambassador to the United Nations Ernesto Soberón Guzmán declared Monday that Havana stands "ready to defend" itself if attacked, following months of what he described as a US oil blockade and threats of political intervention from the Trump administration.

The ambassador's comments reflect Cuba's defiant stance in the face of sustained American pressure. Guzmán suggested that concepts of surrender or collapse are not part of the Cuban vocabulary, signaling the government's determination to resist external pressure.

The tensions highlight ongoing disputes between Washington and Havana that have persisted for decades. US sanctions on Cuba have been a source of international controversy, with various nations and international bodies criticizing the economic restrictions.

The current escalation involves both economic measures, including restrictions on oil supplies, and diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Cuba's leadership has consistently portrayed these measures as attempts to undermine the island nation's sovereignty and political system.