In a retaliatory move against the United States, Cuba has hung photos of tortured Iraqis outside the U.S. Interest Section in Havana.
Photos of prisoners being tortured by U.S. soldiers at the infamous Abu Grhaib prison were accompanied by the word "fascist."
The move comes in response to the section's Christmas decorations that refer to dissidents jailed by the Cuban government.
An illuminated sign among the holidays lights saying "75" -- a reference to the 75 Cuban dissidents imprisoned in 2003 -- particularly riled Cuban leaders.
Since then 14 have been freed by the Cuban government.
Havana has warned U.S. officials to take it down or face serious consequences.
James Cason, U.S. interest section chief in the Cuban capital, said they had no plans to take down the decorations. The U.S. State Department also defended them Wednesday.
The sign "shows our solidarity with Cubans who struggle for democracy and freedom," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.
The spat is just the latest incident of increased ire between the United State and Cuba. Tensions between the nations were escalated earlier this year, when the Bush administration imposed tougher sanctions on the Caribbean nation, part of the U.S. ongoing policy that's lasted more than 40 years.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
