Cuba urged to respect rights

Washington: Right-leaning Latin American governments and other US allies joined Washington on Monday in urging Cuba to respect rights and free people detained in unprecedented mass protests.

Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador were among 20 nations that joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a call on the communist government to "respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the Cuban people" and to "release those detained for exercising their rights to peaceful protests."

"We urge the Cuban government to heed the voices and demands of the Cuban people," said a joint statement, which also called for an end to internet restrictions. "The international community will not waver in its support of the Cuban people and all those who stand up for the basic freedoms all people deserve."