Havana, Cuba — Cuba has accused the United States government of launching an “aggressive and intimidating” pressure campaign against several countries, particularly in Latin America and Europe, to force them to change their vote on a critical resolution at the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, said the US aim is to prevent the Assembly from once again passing an overwhelming resolution calling for an end to the decades-long US economic, commercial, and financial blockade against the island. The vote on the resolution is scheduled for October 29.
“We have reliable information that the United States government is exerting intimidating and deceptive pressure on several countries… to coerce them into modifying their traditional, historic position in support of the resolution against the blockade,” Minister Parrilla stated.
Claims of ‘Slanderous’ US Documents
Mr. Parrilla presented what he claimed was the full text of a document circulated by the US State Department to various governments. He labelled the communication “mendacious and slanderous,” and accused the US of disrespecting the sovereignty of independent states.
The Foreign Minister outlined several “fraudulent” arguments allegedly contained in the US document:
- The blockade is not the cause of Cuba’s economic problems. Mr. Parrilla strongly refuted this, stating the blockade is the main cause of the country’s economic difficulties and the primary obstacle to development.
- Human rights abuses in Cuba are “greater than ever.” He dismissed this as cynical coming from a country he accused of mass and systematic human rights violations.
- Cuba is a “threat to international peace and security.” Mr. Parrilla described this claim as “ridiculous and mendacious,” noting that Cuba is the country where the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace was signed.
He further alleged that the US has sent “threatening letters” to dignitaries, linking their votes on the resolution to “unrelated issues,” including private company ties to the US economy and the possibility of trade tariffs or visa sanctions.
Intensified Economic Aggression
Mr. Parrilla asserted that the US pressure campaign is taking place amid a period of intensified economic aggression against Cuba. He blamed the US policy for the persecution of fuel supplies, which he said is directly causing blackouts and fragility in the national electrical system.
He claimed that the US has been persecuting shipping companies, insurers, and reinsurers that supply Cuba. He also referred to an incident where an international corporation and a friendly government refused to supply spare parts needed to repair a major Cuban thermoelectric plant due to US policies.
The Minister expressed confidence that the US efforts would fail, predicting that the vote would result in a victory for “humanity” and “international law,” leading to the US government being overwhelmingly isolated at the General Assembly.
The vote on the resolution, which Cuba has successfully introduced year after year, is expected to take place on Tuesday, October 29.
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