Cuba criticizes US fine on French bank after deal to pay $9B for violating trade sanctions

Havana is denouncing U.S. penalties levied against France's largest bank over allegations it processed financial transactions for Cuba and other blacklisted states in violation of U.S. trade sanctions.

A Foreign Ministry statement released Thursday says the penalties "violate the rules of international law."

It calls the U.S embargo against Cuba a "criminal and failed policy against our nation." The Ministry accuses Washington of ignoring opposition to the 52-year-old embargo by a majority of the world's governments.

The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that BNP Paribas had agreed to pay $9 billion to settle the allegations.

Justice officials said the French bank handled billions of dollars in transactions for clients in Cuba, Sudan and Iran.