Cuba human rights row explodes

Cuba accuses Uruguay of bowing to US pressure

Uruguay is breaking diplomatic ties with Cuba.

The surprise announcement by President Jorge Batlle came as the Uruguayan leader accused Cuba of a series of "insults".

The rupture will remain until it is clear that the Cuban people have peace and liberty

Uruguay President Jorge Batll

The row follows a Uruguay-sponsored UN resolution targeting Cuba.

The resolution passed on Friday by the UN Human Rights Commission invited Communist-run Cuba to provide its people with greater civil and political rights.

Almost all Latin American nations on the 53-member commission approved the human rights measure, prompting Cuba to term them all "Judases".

Formalising break

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque accused Uruguay of being "servile" to the United States by sponsoring the resolution.

Mr Batlle told a news conference on Tuesday that insults by Cuban leaders forced Uruguay to act.

He said: "The rupture will remain until it is clear that the Cuban people have peace and liberty."

Mr Batlle said he instructed Foreign Minister Didier Opertti to carry out the necessary steps to formalise the break in relations.

He did not elaborate nor say whether he had ordered the expulsion of Cuba's ambassador to Uruguay.

Diplomatic relations between Uruguay and Cuba date to 1986, restored after the end of a right-wing military dictatorship in Uruguay.

But relations dipped before the UN vote. Uruguay even recalled its ambassador, Enrique Estrazulas, to show its displeasure.

There was no immediate comment from Cuba.