The influence on the US presidential elections in 2020, which is referred to in the report of the American intelligence community, is not a violation of international law, and the document itself does not contain evidence, believes Arturo Lopez-Levy, professor at the University of California of the Holy Names and expert on relations between Cuba and the United States.
The US intelligence community released a report on Tuesday in which it said Cuba and Venezuela were making “some efforts” to influence the US elections. The representatives of these countries were allegedly guided in their actions by “financial interests”.
“It would not be surprising if what the intelligence service says in the report happened. I believe that the report contains no evidence, but it cannot be assumed that what it says is untrue. I think it is important to note that the report says that the Cuban government tried to influence, but does not talk about interference”, – the expert emphasized.
In his opinion, one should distinguish between influence and interference.
“Intervention would be a violation of international law”, – says Lopez-Levy.
At the same time, influence is what diplomacy, propaganda services, both in the United States do in relation to other countries, and in other countries in relation to the United States, he added.
“For example, European countries have also tried to present President Donald Trump in the worst light and in the best position of candidate Joe Biden”, – the expert notes. In his opinion, the actions of Cuba and Venezuela, which are mentioned in the report, were not a violation of US sovereignty or international law.