The celebration in Havana of the Fourth Conference on Nation and Emigration, April 8-10, is another expression of the unequivocal intention of the Cuban government to continue deepening relations with the émigré community, an important pillar in defense of the Homeland, our culture, history and values. This meeting will bring together Cubans who respect and love their country, defend it freely and independently, and actively oppose the blockade imposed by the United States government.

In this regard, the recent visit of Cuban consular officials to Miami and Consul General Alejandro Padrón’s meetings with Cuban-Americans in this city, represented a “propitious occasion to reiterate the convening of the Fourth Conference on Nation and Emigration, which will reaffirm the important role of our citizens abroad in defense of Cuba,” according to a tweet from our country’s Consulate in the United States.

Cuban diplomats also met with members of the Alianza Martiana coalition and of the Foundation for the Normalization of the Relations between the United States and Cuba (Fornorm), according to information provided to the media.

Measures adopted by the administration of President Donald Trump significantly affect the Cuban community living in the U.S. and disrupt family relations, especially those related to travel restrictions, limitations on consular services, a reduction of allowed remittances and the elimination of commercial and charter flights to Cuban provinces – with flights now available only to Havana’s José Martí International Airport.

According to statements by Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, director general of Consular Affairs and Cuban Residents Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex), “The majority of the Cuban community in the U.S. rejects the aggressive policy toward Cuba of President Trump’s administration and supports the end of the blockade. This confrontational policy is only favored by a minority, the extremely reactionary portion of the Cuban community in the country.”

In fact, during the Republican primary in 2016, President Trump did very poorly among Cuban voters in Florida, as compared to other candidates. Hostility and economic attacks on Cuba do not serve his electoral interests, and affect Cubans severely. The U.S. President continues to be badly advised,” the Cuban Foreign Minister argued on Twitter.

Despite the tightening of the blockade, Cuba will continue the natural, inevitable process of developing better relations with its citizens abroad and their descendants.

In context

-The “Dialogue of ’78″, promoted by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, represented the beginning of a continuous, irreversible process of rapprochement between Cuba and the Cuban community abroad.

-During his recent visit to Argentina, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel officially announced plans to hold the Fourth Conference on Nation and Emigration, at a meeting with Cubans living there.

-Cuban diplomatic missions have identified the presence of Cuban communities in 124 countries.

-Approximately 1,485,618 native born Cubans residing abroad have been identified, not counting their descendants. Of these, 1,195,607 are registered with Cuban consulates.

(Source: Juventud Rebelde interview with Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Minrex director general of Consular Affairs and Cuban Residents Abroad)

“Unfortunately, the unilateralism of the United States undermines the promotion and protection of human rights of everyone on the planet,” stated Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on Tuesday in Geneva. Speaking during the High Level Segment of the 43rd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council, he added that neoliberal policies imposed by the northern nation violate economic, social and cultural rights and prevent other nations from exercising their right to development.

Among several examples of coercive actions, the Cuban Foreign Minister emphasized that the interests of all countries are damaged if they remained inert in the face of U. S. threats to crush the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, destabilize Nicaragua, and destroy other nations.

He stressed that the unconventional wars waged by the United States and its violations of international law systematically violate the rights to peace and self-determination.

“Their unwillingness to confront climate change poses an existential challenge to the human species. The political manipulation and double standards of the U.S. impede genuine international cooperation on human rights,” he added.

He insisted that the tightening of the U.S. blockade of Cuba represents an act of genocide, according to the 1948 Convention, “a flagrant, massive and systematic violation of the human rights of our people.”

Rodriguez further stated, “The use of non-conventional measures to prevent the arrival of fuel to our country has damaged every aspect of the daily lives of Cuban men and women, public transportation, education, health and food. The full application of the Helms-Burton Act deepens the extraterritorial impact of the blockade.”

He explained that the U.S. government has placed extreme limitations on travel and air connections between the two countries, which affect Cuban families, residents in other nations, and the right to travel of the country’s own citizens.

The Foreign Minister referred to attacks on Cuba’s international medical cooperation and how U.S. hostility has threatened the health of millions of human beings who benefit from these programs around the world.

With the suspension of Cuban medical cooperation to several countries in our region alone, medical care for 67 million people has been seriously affected. The international community recognizes the professionalism and altruism of the more than 400,000 Cuban health workers, who over 56 years have served on missions in 164 nations, Rodríguez noted.

In this context, he recalled that the United Nations Organization and the World Health Organization have noted the fundamental contribution made by Cuban medical cooperation to the success of the fight against cholera in Haiti and Ebola in West Africa.

Rodriguez stated, “Cuba’s response is firm: on the basis of legitimate intergovernmental cooperation programs, we will continue to save lives and provide health and well-being wherever we are requested.”

During his remarks, the Foreign Minister explained that, despite the blockade and hostility of the United States, “Cuba is advancing in the construction of an independent, sovereign, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable nation, based on the proven capacity of resistance and creativity of our people.”

He reaffirmed that Cuba will continue to honor its commitments to international cooperation in the field of human rights, in particular its obligations under international instruments in this arena.

(Source: Granma)

Honorable Karen Cumming, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana;

Honorable Peter David, President of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of CARICOM;

Ambassador Irwing LaRocque, Secretary-General of CARICOM;

Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegations;

It is with great satisfaction that we are attending this meeting between brothers and sisters.

I appreciate the hospitality offered by the authorities of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat, which have made every effort to guarantee the success of this meeting. I would like to convey fraternal greetings to the distinguished Ministers and Heads of Delegations as well as our appreciation for their attendance, which shows the willingness to advance CARICOM relations with Cuba even further

This Sixth Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community and Cuba is a propitious occasion to exchange on the development of our bilateral relations.

The consistency of these meetings evidences, beyond any question, the strength of our relations.

The Caribbean and Cuba share a common history and face similar challenges.

Cuba reiterates its permanent commitment to cooperate and share its modest achievement with the Caribbean. We feel we have a permanent debt of gratitude with CARICOM for its historical and fraternal support to Cuba. The courageous attitude of the first four independent Caribbean nations, which was soon followed by all the others once they managed to achieve their independence, will never be forgotten.

Cuba and the Caribbean have developed strong historical relations. The CARICOM-Cuba mechanism has decidedly and effectively contributed to strengthen our relations.

Hardly a few weeks ago, we inaugurated a monument in remembrance of the Caribbean National Heroes at a park in downtown Havana, as a symbol of the friendship that unites us and an expression of the Cuban peoples admiration for and recognition of the men and women who turned this group of countries into a community with dignity, an independent foreign policy and a voice of its own. That monument reflects the feelings of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz for what he considered to be his closest friends, for he asserted, and I quote: “No circumstances will ever change the interest and willingness of Cuba to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation with the sister nations of the Caribbean. We will spare no effort to achieve regional integration and the unity of our peoples”.

Cuba reiterates its willingness to continue strengthening its relations with all CARICOM member countries.

We are pleased about the results achieved so far by the Regional Center to Encourage the Development of Children, Teenagers and Youths with Special Educational Needs Associated to Physical Disabilities. Cuban and Guyanese professionals have offered physical and occupational therapy to 103 persons; speech therapy to 158 persons; and have taught 98 pedagogy and 16 psycho-pedagogy training courses. A total of 56 pedagogical guidance sessions were offered to teachers and directors. We believe that all CARICOM countries can make a better use of this joint effort for the benefit of those in need.

We likewise express our disposition to find joint solutions so that the Regional School of Caribbean Arts based in Jamaica can start working. In the first two stages of the implementation of this project, Cuba contributed with the design of the study programs and curricula. We have received the excellent news that the Government of Jamaica will purchase a plot of land and will contribute funds for the construction of the school. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting the creation of the school in Jamaica together with CARICOM and its member countries.

Our country will continue to support CARICOM’s fair claim for compensation for the horrors of slavery and the genocide perpetrated against indigenous populations.

We reject the decision not to take into account the real situation and needs of the Caribbean and that cooperation is arbitrarily adapted based on the statistics whereby its member States are classified as middle income countries.

The persecution, threats and sanctions against the financial systems of some of our countries, which are being accused of maintaining non-cooperative jurisdictions, is both immoral and harmful.

The vulnerability of our nations to the effects of climate change is disturbing.

It is precisely in this area where we have been taking important steps during the last few years. Several cooperative agreements have been signed, namely, one between the Civil Defense authorities of our country and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in December of 2017 in the context of the Sixth CARICOM-Cuba Summit and, more recently, in Saint Lucia, a Declaration of Commitment to strengthen he hydro-meteorological early-warning systems in the Caribbean. We have also hosted in Cuba, with a high level of acceptance and usefulness, several international events to discuss the most recent international experiences in natural disaster risk mitigation, which have been attended by specialists from the most important national agencies of our countries.

We should also move forward together in our economic and commercial relations, for which we confirm our entire disposition.

Esteemed Ministers and Heads of Delegations:

This meeting is taking place at a moment when peace in our region is being jeopardized. We have the duty to reaffirm our commitment with Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as was stated in the Proclamation approved by the Heads of State and Government at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Havana.

Only in a climate of mutual respect and confidence shall we prosper as a region.

Only integration shall lead us down to that path.

Peace admits no ambiguities. It can not be said that all options are on the table, when one of them, the one that is most needed, has been rejected; and that is dialogue.

We welcome CARICOM’s decision, in view of the threat of use of force and foreign interference, to ratify its stand and defend the validity of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and International Law.

We are gathered at a moment when attempts are made to re-establish the implementation of the Monroe Doctrine, which is opposite to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

I would like to reiterate to you our gratitude for your firmness in denouncing the US Government’s authorization to activate Title III of the Helms-Burton Act so that lawsuits can be filed at the courts of that country against Cuban or foreign entities that legally engage in commercial business or investments in properties that were once nationalized in Cuba in full adherence to national and international laws, as was recognized by the US Supreme Court ruling on the Sabbatino case.

The Helms-Burton Act is arbitrary and is also an outrage and an insult against the sovereignty of Cuba and of third States.

There is an attempt to suffocate the Cuban economy and place our people on their knees through scarcities and hardships, but I can assure you that such an attempt will fail.

We recognize your resolute and irrevocable decision to join us in rejecting the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against our country and the fair claim to put an end to it.

Esteemed Ministers and Heads of Delegations:

Let us all engage in a deep discussion about our views, convinced that our brotherhood and friendship are indestructible.

Thank you, very much.

(Cubaminrex)

Her Excellency Mrs. Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State;
Officials of the US Government accompanying her;

Honorable members of Congress;

Esteemed Representatives of the US Organizations, Movements and Institutions who have made huge efforts in favor of the change of the US Cuba policy and the improvement of bilateral relations;

Esteemed Representatives of the Organizations and Movements of the patriotic emigration;

Distinguished Ambassadors;

Comrades of the Cuban Delegation;

José Ramón Cabañas, Chargé D’ Affairs;

Officials and workers of the Cuban Embassy;

Esteemed friends;

The flag that we revere at the entrance of this room is the same that was hauled down here 54 years ago, which was zealously kept in Florida by a family of liberators and later on by the Museum of our eastern city of Las Tunas, as a sort of premonition that this day would certainly come.

Flying once again in this place is the lone-star flag which embodies the generous blood that was shed, the sacrifices made and the struggle waged for more than one hundred years by our people for their national independence and full self-determination, facing the most serious challenges and risks.

Today we pay homage to all those who died in its defense and renew the commitment of the present generations, fully confident on the newer ones, to serve it with honor.

We evoke the memory of José Martí, who was fully devoted to the struggle for the freedom of Cuba and managed to get a profound knowledge about the United States: In his “North American Scenes” he made a vivid description of the great nation to the North and extolled its virtues. He also bequeathed to us a warning against its excessive craving for domination which was confirmed by a long history of disagreements.

We’ve been able to make it through this date thanks to the firm and wise leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, whose ideas we will always revere with utmost loyalty. We now recall his presence in this city, in April of 1959, with the purpose of promoting fair bilateral relations, as well as the sincere tribute he paid to Lincoln and Washington. The purposes that brought him to this country on such an early time are the same that have pursued throughout these decades and coincide exactly with the ones that we pursue today. Many in this room, whether politicians, journalists, outstanding personalities in the fields of arts or sciences, students or American social activists, have been able to treasure unlimited hours of enriching talks with the Commander, which allowed them to have a better understanding of our reasons, goals and decisions.

This ceremony has been possible thanks to the free and unshakable will, unity, sacrifice, selflessness, heroic resistance and work of our people and also the strength of the Cuban Nation and its culture.

Several generations of the revolutionary diplomacy have converged in this effort and offered their martyrs. The example and vibrant speech of Raúl Roa, the Chancellor of Dignity, have continued to inspire Cuba’s foreign policy and will remain forever in the memory of the younger generations and future diplomats.

I bring greetings from President Raúl Castro, as an expression of the good will and sound determination to move forward, through a dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, to a civilized coexistence, even despite the differences that exist between both governments, which makes it possible to solve bilateral problems and promote cooperation and the development of mutually beneficial relations, just as both peoples desire and deserve.

We know that this would contribute to peace, development, equity and stability in the continent; the implementation of the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which was signed at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Havana.

Today, the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the re-opening of embassies complete the first stage of the bilateral dialogue and pave the way to the complex and certainly long process towards the normalization of bilateral relations.

The challenge is huge because there have never been normal relations between the United States of America and Cuba, in spite of the one and a half century of intensive and enriching links that have existed between both peoples.

The Platt Amendment, imposed in 1902 under a military occupation, thwarted the liberation efforts that had counted on the participation or the sympathy of quite a few American citizens and led to the usurpation of a piece of Cuban territory in Guantánamo. Its nefarious consequences left an indelible mark in our common history.

In 1959, the United States refused to accept the existence of a fully independent small and neighboring island and much less, a few years later, a socialist Revolution that was forced to defend itself and has embodied, ever since then, our people’s will.

I have referred to History to reaffirm that today an opportunity has opened up to begin working in order to establish new bilateral relations, quite different from whatever existed in the past. The Cuban government is fully committed to that.

Only the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade which has caused so much harm and suffering to our people; the return of the occupied territory in Guantánamo and the respect for Cuba’s sovereignty will lend some meaning to the historic event that we are witnessing today.

Every step forward will receive the recognition and the favorable acceptance of our people and government, and most certainly the encouragement and approval of Latin America and the Caribbean and the entire world.

We reaffirm Cuba’s willingness to move towards the normalization of relations with the United States in a constructive spirit, but without any prejudice whatsoever to our independence or any interference in the affairs that fall under the exclusive sovereignty of Cubans.

To insist in the attainment of obsolete and unjust goals, only hoping for a mere change in the methods to achieve them will not legitimize them or favor the national interest of the United States or its citizens. However, should that be the case, we would be ready to face the challenge.

We will engage in this process, as was written by President Raúl Castro in his letter of July 1st to President Obama, “encouraged by the reciprocal intention of developing respectful and cooperative relations between our peoples and governments.”

From this Embassy, we will continue to work tirelessly to promote cultural, economic, scientific, academic and sports relations as well as friendly ties between our peoples.

We would like to convey the Cuban government’s respect and recognition to the President of the United States for urging the US Congress to lift the blockade as well as for the change of policy that he has announced, but in particular for the disposition he has showed to make use of his executive powers for that purpose.

We are particularly reminded of President Carter’s decision to open the respective Interests Sections back in September of 1977.

I am pleased to express my gratitude to the Government of the Swiss Confederation for having represented the Cuban interests for the last 24 years.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Cuba, I would like to express our gratitude to the members of Congress, scholars, religious leaders, activists, solidarity groups, business people and so many US citizens who worked so hard for so many years so that this day would come.

To the majority of Cubans residing in the United States who have advocated and called for a different kind of relation of this country with our Nation, we would like to express our recognition. Deeply moved, they have told us that they would multiply their efforts and will remain faithful to the legacy of the patriotic emigration that supported the ideals of independence.

We would like to express our gratitude to our Latin American and Caribbean brothers and sisters who have resolutely supported our country and called for a new chapter in the relations between the United States and Cuba, as was done, with extraordinary perseverance, by a lot of friends from all over the world.

I reiterate our recognition to the governments represented here by the Diplomatic Corps, whose voice and vote at the UN General Assembly and other fora made a decisive contribution.

From this country José Martí organized the Cuban Revolutionary Party to conquer freedom, all the justice and the full dignity of human beings. His ideas, which were heroically vindicated in his centennial year, continue to be the main inspiration that moves us along the path that our people have sovereignly chosen.

Thank you, very much.

In each of these countries, Rodríguez was greeted by several major government authorities. During the meetings, the parties exchanged views on various issues on the international agenda and expressed their interest in deepening their respective bilateral relations.

Have conducted ‘excellent bilateral visits’ said Rodriguez to media in Brussels, after calling ‘very useful’ the official two-day visit he made to France, the first stop of his tour.

In Paris, Rodriguez met President Francois Hollande and had a constructive dialogue in which both parts expressed the common desire to advance and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of common interest, official sources said.

He also met with the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Irina Bokova and discussed the state of the links between the Caribbean island and the Organization.

With French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, the Cuban minister exchanged different aspects of the international agenda as the preparation of the UN Conference on Climate Change (cop21) to be held in Paris in December.

They also discussed the preparation of its visit to Cuba next May President Hollande, described as historic, especially for being the first by a head of state Gallic to the Caribbean nation, it was said.

Rodriguez expressed to Fabius his countryÂ�s ‘gratitude for the French position regarding the cessation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade’ imposed by the US government against Cuba for over fifty years.

He remarked it is kept in complete application including financial aspects and includes humanitarian dimensions recognized by the president Barack Obama and clear violation of international law, he stressed.

He was also received by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

During the stay in Belgium, Rodriguez and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European of that country, Didier Reynders, held official talks.

The officials expressed the mutual intention to contribute to the success of the Second European Union-CELAC Summit to be held in Brussels in June. The Cuban visitor met later Prime Minister Charles Michel.

Another important moment of his visit to Brussels, were the talks with the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini as part of the process to reach an agreement on political dialogue and cooperation with the regional bloc.

Mogherini said that to strengthen the relations between both parties, a round of political negotiations that will mark in next June the beginning of other meetings could be concluded later this year will begin.

For his part, Rodriguez stated he felt that ‘we have made progress, we have advanced into a mutually respectful constructive spirit, on a reciprocal basis to a strengthening of relations and comprehensive cooperation between the European Union and Cuba, and have also reviewed the matters relating to the negotiation of a bilateral cooperation agreement ‘.

Rodriguez’s tour also included Luxembourg. There he was received by His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

He met with Prime Minister and Minister of State for Communications and Religious, Xavier Bettel Affairs; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Immigration and Asylum, Jean Asselborn.

Cuban Foreign Minister also had a busy schedule in the Netherlands. He was met by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte; and he held official talks with his counterpart Bert Koenders, and other senior officials.

He also met with the director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmed Üzümcü.

(Prensa Latina)

Rodriguez met on Monday, April 20, with French Minister of Finance and Public Accounts, Michel Sapin. They exchanged on the evolution of the bilateral economic-trade relations and the mutual interest in diversifying them.

President François Hollande welcomed yesterday morning the Cuban diplomat. Hollande and Rodriguez held a constructive dialogue, in which they expressed the mutual willingness to advance and strengthen bilateral relations in all sectors of common interest.

Later, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and his Cuban peer held a meeting in which they told media the interest to strengthen and expand bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Fabius and Rodriguez discussed different aspects of the international agenda such as the preparation of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, to be run in Paris in December 2015, and issues related to international migration.

They also analyzed the preparation of the visit President Hollande will carry out to Cuba in May this year, which was described as historic, above all for being the first of a French head of State to the Caribbean nation.

About the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government to Cuba for more than 50 years, Fabius stressed that his country has always opposed to the blockade and urged the northern nation to lift it.

In turn, Rodriguez stated that the relations with France are a priority for the Cuban government, after noting they have been historically. There are very deep, essentially cultural ties.

The Cuban foreign minister also met yesterday with Prime Minister Manuel Valls, and both officials discussed the excellent state of bilateral relations, and several issues of the international agenda, according to the information disclosed.

France was the first destination of a tour of Europe that will also take Rodriguez to Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands.

(Prensa Latina)