Cuba Welcomes International Call to End Blockade

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown toward Cuba and the condemnation of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States, as voiced during debates at the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

During the international forum, more than 30 countries denounced the U.S. government’s unilateral policy against the Caribbean island, as well as its inclusion of Cuba on the list of states allegedly sponsoring terrorism.

Strong Support from Global Leaders

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov affirmed that “the Eurasian nation, along with the overwhelming majority of UN member states, demands the immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade against Cuba.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described Cuba’s inclusion on the terrorism sponsors list as “unacceptable” and reiterated his support for the island nation.

Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce emphasized that “the United States already owes billions of dollars to the Cuban state due to the effects of these unilateral measures, which explain the empire’s rejection of the first Socialist Revolution in the region—a revolution that has not been and will not be destroyed.”

Vietnamese leader Luong Cuong reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with Cuba and urged the U.S. to end the blockade.

Angolan President João Lourenço highlighted Cuba’s historic contributions in Africa, stating that “a country that played a vital role in the liberation struggles that led to the fall of apartheid in South Africa, signed the Peace Accord for South African freedom, and supported Namibia’s independence cannot be arbitrarily and unilaterally designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.”

Africa, the Caribbean, and Beyond Condemn the Blockade

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso reiterated his nation’s continued support for Cuba, which he said has been “exhausted by decades of an embargo that is now incomprehensible.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that “unilateral trade practices and economic coercion harm many nations, including through the blockade that has inflicted incalculable damage on Cuba’s economy. This unjust blockade must be removed, and we hope it will be done sooner rather than later.”

David Ranibok, President of Nauru, urged the international community to end unilateral economic measures that “worsen vulnerability and limit development opportunities, particularly those affecting Cuba, so as to support rather than hinder its aspirations for growth.”

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared: “We call for an end to the illegal economic, financial, and commercial blockade that has been imposed on the friendly people of Cuba for far too long.”

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali stressed that “the time has come for an honest dialogue on Cuba, one that brings prosperity to its people and enables the full realization of the potential Cuba has to offer the world.”

Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema stated: “I reiterate my position in favor of lifting the embargo on Cuba, given the negative repercussions it has on the well-being of its people.”

Teodoro Nguema Obiang, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, also insisted on lifting the blockade, arguing that “maintaining such measures not only severely hinders the development of a sovereign nation but also contradicts the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.”

A Growing Global Consensus

Other nations—including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Suriname, Tanzania, among many others—joined the call to end the blockade.

Imposed more than 60 years ago, the policy has caused profound economic losses, including an estimated $7.556 billion in damages in the past year alone.