Cuba has accused US President Mr George W. Bush of playing for Florida votes and disregarding the view of most Americans by reinforcing the US trade embargo on it.
In speeches in Washington and Miami, where most Cuban
exiles live, Mr Bush vowed to veto any attempts in the US Congress to ease the 40-year embargo or lift a travel ban until Cuba moved toward democracy and free markets.
Mr Ricardo Alarcon, President Mr Fidel Castro's top adviser on US affairs and president of the National Assembly, said Mr Bush's policy announcement went counter to the will of the majority of Americans, who favour lifting the restrictions.
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President George W Bush and brother Governor Jeb Bush sing the US national anthem in Miami.
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"You have to have a nerve to go to Miami and speak of honest and clean elections," he said on a television programme, referring to the controversial Florida election in 2000 on which Mr Bush's White House victory hinged.
"The president went hunting for Cuban votes in South Florida to help his little brother,” said state media commentator Mr Randy Alonso.
But anti-Castro leaders and lawmakers, fighting to halt growing momentum to ease the sanctions against Cuba, were delighted by the president's hard line.