Dutch-based electronics giant Philips has rejected allegations made by Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro of what he calls Cuba's betrayal by the company. He accuses Philips of bowing to United States pressure and withholding spare parts for Cuban medical equipment for three years.

The company says regulations made it extremely difficult to obtain the required permits for supplies from North America where Philips manufactures the equipment. It could only go ahead with the deliveries after paying a fine of 100,000 euros to the US government.

The company says it has changed its procedures regarding these kinds of deliveries. The US has been imposing an economic boycott of Communist Cuba since 1962.

Images: Philips logo and Fidel Castro (ANP archive)