The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba strongly rejects the disrespectful statement issued by the US State Department, attributed to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, which intends to question the constitutional referendum that was freely and sovereignly held by all Cubans on February 24 last.

The text of the statement is an expression of the imperialist ideas which are deeply rooted in the foreign policy of the current US administration. It is also a reflection of the already announced desire to impose once again, in the western hemisphere, the Monroe Doctrine, accompanied now by some McCarthyist intolerance.

The Cuban people spoke loud and clear this February 24; they did it with overwhelming eloquence. Through their vote, they freely pledged their commitment to the construction of socialism, and they did so by expressing their will in a massive way, despite the pernicious campaign launched by the United States which was intended to influence their vote. It’s been long since we Cubans decided to frustrate every US attempt to govern our country’s destiny.

The US State Department should put an end to the practice of interfering in the internal affairs of other States and the electoral or voting processes of other nations. This is a weird habit that is contrary to International Law, with which the US government defies the norms that govern relations among sovereign States.

Havana, February 26, 2019.

Granma follows the second day of events at UN headquarters in New York as the General Assembly votes for the 27th consecutive time on Cuba’s resolution demanding an end to the blockade, which has punished an entire people for almost 60 years, for the sovereign decision to take control of our future.
Yesterday, 31 delegations took the floor to discuss the issue, despite U.S. efforts to disrupt the customary process by introducing eight amendments to the resolution. Expected today is overwhelming support from the international community for an immediate end to the blockade, according to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

(Granma)

Once again, the UN General Assembly debated the draft resolution presented by Cuba calling for an end to the U.S. blockade. Despite U.S. attempts to sabotage the annual debate and pressure other nations to vote against Cuba – through the submission of eight ridiculous amendments to the text – this October 31 saw a wealth of nations express their support for Cuba and condemn this criminal, genocidal policy.

The 27th annual vote on the Resolution will take place tomorrow, November 1st.

Granma International offers a summary of some of the main speeches:

EL SALVADOR
El Salvador’s representative to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) stressed: “The U.S. should normalize relations through bilateral dialogue according to international law. The U.S. should end the blockade and return Guantánamo to the Cuban people.”

SINGAPORE
Singapore’s UN representative, speaking on behalf of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) stated: “Ending the blockade will contribute to economic development of both Cuba and the U.S.”

VENEZUELA
Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): “The Movement takes the opportunity to denounce the coercive and unilateral measures implemented by the U.S. government toward Cuba.” He emphasized that the blockade damages all vital sectors of the economy, that Cuba has been denied access to international markets and technology transfer, and that the prolongation of the policy is totally absurd.

THE BAHAMAS
UN representative of The Bahamas, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), expressed support for Cuba’s resolution: “The blockade is a punitive act against the Cuban people. Cuba is a peaceful and cooperative state – and a voice of reason for matters on the international agenda.”

VIETNAM
Vietnam’s representative referred to Trump’s Cuba policy: “Since last year, the embargo has been further intensified and tightened – representing further setbacks in U.S.-Cuba relations and causing grave damages to the Cuban people.”

JAMAICA
Jamaica’s ambassador noted: “The U.S. embargo of Cuba is an affront to the collective expression of the international community that has consistently called for the embargo to be lifted.”

SOUTH AFRICA
The South African representative to the UN stressed: “As a manifestation of solidarity, Cuba shares its human resources across the global south… Cuba made a great contribution to the elimination of apartheid, and for that we are eternally grateful.” He continued: “South Africa rejects the United States’ amendments to Cuba’s resolution. They are clearly an attempt to undermine the serious issue of the collective human rights violations imposed by the U.S. against the Cuban people through the embargo.”

BOLIVIA
The Bolivian Ambassador to the UN noted: “It is highly cynical of the U.S. to attempt to tamper with Cuba’s resolution… The U.S. is trying to attack the entire multilateral system and the principles of the UN.” He added: “We should pay tribute to Cuba who has provided selfless assistance to so much of the world in health, in education: Where illiteracy plagues countries – Cuba is there. When Ebola struck – Cuba was there. When earthquakes happen – Cuba is there. Cuba keeps hope alive.”

ALGERIA:
Algeria’s representative explained: “Cuba is more than just a friend that stood by us in dire times… Cuba has expressed solidarity in many parts of the world, including the undeniable commitment and expertise shown by the Cuban doctors who responded to the call to help fight the Ebola crisis in 2014.

NICARAGUA:
Nicaragua’s representative to the UN emphasized: “Despite the U.S. attacks, Cuba continues to remain strong. Cuba is solidarity. Our Cuban brothers and sisters have always been the vanguard for responding to emergency situations in any part of the world.”

(Granma)