A draft UN report concerning a shipment of arms and equipment from Cuba to North Korea, which the Panamanian government intercepted on July 15th, has concluded that the transaction violated UN Security Council resolutions.
Revealing the news, the Panamanian public security ministry explained, “According to the draft report prepared by the panel of UN experts, the cargo loaded on the Chong Chon Gang undoubtedly violated UN sanctions.”
The North Korean vessel was loaded with weaponry including missile components and ageing MiG-21 combat jet fuselages in 25 containers concealed beneath piles of sugar.
Cuba and North Korea subsequently asserted that the cargo was due to be returned to Cuba after being repaired in North Korea; however, the UN investigation concluded that the action was in violation of the sanctions regime.
On August 12th the UN dispatched an investigation team to Panama to investigate whether or not the vessel had violated sanctions.
