Russian Journal says Snowden could not go to Cuba over U.S. pressures

The former consultant of U.S. intelligence services could not managed to board a flight to Cuba because the Cuban authorities informed Moscow that Aeroflot’s flight would not be allowed to land if it carried Snowden.

Cuba refused to receive him, apparently because of pressures from the United States, said yesterday the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

According to Kommersant, which cites “informed sources,” Washington had warned Cuba, as well as other countries, about the “serious consequences” of helping Snowden.

According to a Russian government source quoted by the newspaper, the American fugitive, whose first stop was Hong Kong, would have contacted Russian representatives to explain that he intended to travel to a country in Latin America through Moscow and Cuba.

Snowden disclosed information about electronic espionage conducted by the U.S. and initially took refuge in Hong Kong, then traveled to Russia, from where he tried to travel to Latin America, via Cuba, but could not do it. From Russia, he requested asylum in several countries, the first option was Ecuador, whose government is committed to studying the request as soon as it arrives, which never happened.

Raul Castro referring to Snowden’s case