The United States said today it was "outraged" by the arrests of dozens of people in Cuba accused of joining a US-led conspiracy against President Fidel Castro's government.
"We call on the Cuban government to release them immediately," US State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher said.
The Cuban government said yesterday it had arrested "several dozen people" accused of involvement in a "conspiracy" allegedly led by the head of the US Interests Section in Havana, Mr James Cason.
The arrests came after officials admitted that tensions between the two Cold War rivals had reached boiling point.
State run television in Cuba reported that the detainees were being held for "provocations" and "subversive activities" allegedly hatched by Mr Cason, whom Mr Castro has called "a bully with diplomatic immunity."
Mr Castro has also threatened to close the US Interests Section, and Havana has imposed limits on the travel of US diplomats on the island.
AFP