Failure to abide by these international commitments undermines the norms of coexistence among states and can have serious consequences for stability and security in the Middle East.

Cuba opposes the imposition of unilateral coercive economic measures on any country and recognizes the legitimate right of all states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. At the same time, we call on the United Nations Security Council to fulfill the responsibility with which it has been charged in the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security, demanding adherence to of its resolution 2231 (2015) on the Iranian nuclear question, approved unanimously by this body.

Havana, May 9, 2018

Héctor Igarza, Cuban ambassador in Paris, commented that despite the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, the United States government continues to enforce the economic, commercial and financial blockade and, increasingly, its extra-territorial reach.

He recalled that since 2009, fines for a total of 14 billion dollar have been levied on international banks and companies, for doing business with Cuba, in a clear violation of international law.

Stéphane Witkowsky, president of the Advanced Research Institute’s Council of Strategic Orientation on Latin America, likewise noted that, given its history of more than 50 years, the U.S. blockade is the most longstanding aggression of this kind, reiterating that Washington has sanctioned several French banks despite the fact that financial transactions with Cuba are conducted in strict accordance with international law.

French intellectual Salim Lamrani, organizer of the event held in the city’s Casa de América Latina, emphasized that the political battle must continue, urging international condemnation of the blockade which constitutes the principle obstacle to Cuba’s development.

(Prensa Latina)

This memorandum was signed by the First Deputy Minister of CITMA, Dr. Fernando González Bermúdez, and the Director a.i. of the US Geological Survey, William Werkheiser.

Said memorandum will facilitate the exchange of data and information so that both countries are able to be more accurate in locating and stating the geological conditions of seismic events taking place in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

During the signing of this legal instrument, Dr. Fernando González made emphasis on how this collaboration, that will also include joint seismological surveys and research, would allow to expand the scientific knowledge of the geodynamics of the region shared by our nations and contribute to a better assessment of the seismic risk and natural hazards that threaten both countries.

Dr. Bladimir Moreno Toirán, Director of the National Center for Seismological Research of Cuba, who also made remarks during the signing of the memorandum, stressed how the integration of the local seismological networks, with a real-time exchange of seismic records is essential to provide decision-makers and the public in general with a fast and reliable information. This topic is of vital importance to Cuba and the United States since both countries face common challenges with regard to seismology.

(Cubaminrex-Embacuba Estados Unidos)

In a conciliatory tone, the real estate tycoon pointed out that ‘we must unify our great country’, and look for a better future for millions of people, above the differences of races, genders and religion in order to renew what he called ‘the American dream’.

Every American will have the opportunity to fulfill his aspirations, we will rebuild our infrastructures, schools, hospitals, we will put millions of people to work, we will take care of our veterans, he added.

He said he has a grand economic plan to strengthen the economy, and said he will tell the international community that the interests of the United States are first, ‘we will seek common ground with other nations, without hostility to other countries.’

He thanked the support of his work team and his family throughout the campaign, in which he said, worked a considerable group of talented people, and in particular mentioned the role played by Rudolf Giuliani, ex-mayor of New York.

Trump won the November 8 election, winning 288 electoral votes against Clinton, who reached 215.

(Prensa Latina)

Dr. Noralis Palomo Díaz, president of the province’s José Martí Cultural Society, spoke about the anti-imperialist legacy of Cuba’s National Hero, Fidel Castro and the Cuban people; while Guantánamo City Historian, José Sánchez Guerra with a Sciences Masters degree, described the dire state of Caimanera before the triumph of the Revolution.

He recalled that up until January 1, 1959, there were practically no doctors, schools or jobs in the town, which was instead full of brothels and the streets were ruled by the U.S. marines, who did as they liked, protected by local authorities and a series of submissive governments. This was the “well-being” that the empire offered residents of Caimanera, he noted.

Elementary school children from the municipality and across the entire island demand the U.S. government lift the blockade and return the territory illegally occupied by the Naval Base in Guantánamo, stated Linka Dailiana Matos Pupo, seventh grade student at the town’s Pavel Rojo High School, during her speech. Meanwhile, Dr. Humberto Hodelín Mainart highlighted the work of the Revolution in the healthcare sector and the example of Cuban doctors renowned for their altruistic collaboration efforts worldwide. In contrast, he highlighted how the U.S. government undertakes numerous actions, such as the Parole program, which attempt to encourage Cuban medical professionals to abandon their missions in other countries.

Obama called on us to forget the past, which is the same as asking us to betray our principles and homeland, stated Orestes Yánez Mestre, national CDR deputy coordinator, who also reported that neighborhood debates will be held in country’s over 18,000 CDR zones.

He stressed that today, imperialism is changing its methods but not its objective to destroy the Revolution, thus we must think of Martí when he said that if the war we are undertaking is one of thought then we must prepare ourselves to win it by thought; also citing Che, when he said that imperialism can not be trusted, not even one iota.

Zones undertaking outstanding work in the formation of values were recognized at end of the neighborhood debate, held in José Martí Park.

(Granma)

At the beginning of the race for the presidency many labeled him crazy as a way to discrediting him, no, the crazies are another thing. Trump is the exemplification of ultraconservative thought that governs the foundation of this country, its society and its system. Trump, all he has done, is to say aloud what most in this society speaks behind closed doors.

I will not say “Republicans” because Democrats are identical except that they handle it by the chameleonic side and make use of double standards for their own convenience; Republicans go for the jugular and spit in the face, whereas Democrats extending a hand, in a gesture of conciliation, deliver a stab in the back. We could do a review of the foreign policy of Democratic governments and see the interference, terror and death left in their wake. The most recent example: Obama, who has nothing to envy to the Bushes.

The fact that Trump is the official candidate of the Republican Party is the sole responsibility of the media coverage that put him there, as a countermove to Hillary Clinton (rendering Sanders invisible at all times) the media publicly played most of the time on the side of Trump, but strategically on the Clinton side. They knew that by fixating in the Ku Klux Klan they would achieve the mass reaction that would benefit Clinton.

Since the beginning they knew that the goal was to create a monster that would make clear the xenophobia and racism in American society, and for that to happen they had to give the highest possible effect to Trump’s segregationist speeches . What was the purpose? Awaken fear as early as possible for the masses to see Hillary Clinton as the only way out. And the worst part is that they succeeded. What awaits the world with a president like her! For many citizens will vote for Clinton, not because she represents them but as a punishment to Trump. Either way, the system got the masses where they wanted them to be.

Anybody, by blind guessing, would say that Clinton is better than Trump, be careful! Clinton represents the capital, she isn’t a sweet candy.

At the Democratic National Convention she will offer a conciliatory and tone down speech, perfectly structured to impact hard in the minds of the undecided and to impress upon her followers, thus ensuring their vote. Her best strategy is to pose as a feminist and a woman of moral values. In a society of double standars, that is the coup de grace.

Trump clearly states his hatred for undocumented immigrants to the point that he conflates the southern border with undocumented Latin Americans and the building of a wall. But what does he say about his country interference in Latin America which is the main cause of forced immigration? Should his country stop interfering, forced immigration would not exist. Why does he not promise with the same zeal that his country will stop invading countries and killing multitudes as a result of its foreign policy?

Not surprisingly the Border Patrol supports Trump, this because they are xenophobic. It is not surprise that no undocumented immigrant wants to denounce what happens on the border, because he will never be heard and, on the contrary, will be imprisoned and deported. The whole system is against undocumented immigration; from the Border Patrol, to the one filing the complaint and the judge who dismissed it and ordered prison for the “terrorist”. Because in the United States an undocumented, for the simple fact of lacking papers, is as terrorist as a Muslim just because of their religion or country of birth, when we all know who the real terrorists are and the capital that creates and supports them.

There is an extraordinary film that is the best production that has been done in this country about the system and undocumented immigration, called “Machete”. It seems sarcasm but it reveals what this system does at all levels with undocumented workers from the moment they cross the border. Over there you see politicians, very powerful ones, shooting at undocumented workers in the nocturnal hunts. These are ordinary things that are performed by Hollywood actors like Steven Seagal who with a machine gun in hand hunts immigrants at the border. What does this society, religious people, and Democrats say about it? No a peep.

Trump has never been the problem because any presidential candidate has the right to their ideology and freedom of thought; here the questioning is to the part of society that supports him: teachers, doctors, engineers, parents, athletes. Any given neighbor, any diner guest at any restaurant, any artist; anywhere there’s xenophobia and racism. What do we have to tell those who are not public figures? To what extent does this country need to reflect upon as a society? A racist father raises racist children, a racist community has racist neighbors, a racist teacher educates racist students, and so and so … there are exceptions but are so few, and I’m not stereotyping.

Why are there so many followers who cheer Trump whenever he speaks about pairing with Israel and allies countries to destroy Syria, Palestine and the Muslim world? He speaks with a sense of white superiority -root of the Ku Klux Klan- and the best Hitlerian fascism style.

Why are there so many blacks and Latinos who support him? Also a great deal of Asians, did they forget Hiroshima? Those Latinos who deny their roots, their blood, their ancient heritage, Latinos that hate Latin America. Blacks who live and work under the white man standards, who do not recognized their African identity; did they forget slavery to which their ancestors were subjected? ¿Are they unaware of blacks death perpetrated by the white police? Did they forget the fight for Civil Rights and their many martyrs?

Those blacks have black children who are discriminated in white schools, and they still support a candidate like Trump! And these black discriminate against the African community because they feel superior. Same with Latinos, who considered themselves white because they have documents or because they were born here. But not even that is going to erase their Latin American ancient heritage, even if adopting the behavior of traitors like Cruz and Rubio.

And as an important part for any sociocultural study about this country, it is necessary to take into account that this society is made up of immigrants from all over the world, who have children born here from Asian, Latin American, European and African heritage.

We cannot stone the American society based on stereotypes, like skin color and the like, because it resemble us. So for us the questions remain: How racist and xenophobes are we in our own countries? How many of us also utter racial hatred speeches similar to Trump’s? How many of us are homophobic, classist, racist, misogynist and patriarchal, and religious fanatics?

How many of us in our countries have given our vote to Dantesque characters like Trump? These are individuals who make use of the same policies against their own people. How many of us have given our vote for neoliberal policies similar to the ones offered by Clinton? How many us based on our skin color, educational level or social status have discriminated against others? If we dig a little bit more the answers will surprise us. We will see that we are like or worse than the hate speech that Trump and his followers spread.

Do not forget that everything that happens in the United States (because of its status as world power) is the immediate reflection of what we are as human beings. Every time we think on Trump’s hate speech it should help us to do a self-analysis and question our role in society and if our double standards can go along to continue with the same speech cloaked in reconciliation and patriarchal values, as Hillary Clinton does with her false feminism.

(By Ilka Oliva Colorado)

According to the ministry, citing figures from the Honduras Consular and Migration Observatory, in 2015, 75,785 Hondurans were deported from U.S .territory, as reported by the daily Proceso Digital.

Currently, some 65,000 undocumented Honduran immigrants must appear before U.S. immigration courts, and face being deported from the country, the publication detailed.

In recent years, the number of undocumented migrants arriving in countries such as the United States has increased, especially through the Mexican border.

According to studies, such as that conducted by the National Autonomous University of Honduras, among the causes of migration in this region are unemployment, a lack of opportunities, violence, and attempted family reunification.

Motivating the exodus of Hondurans, as well as the violence in the country, are poverty and inequality. As such, Arabesca Sánchez, a specialist in security matters, noted that the Honduran government must implement economic policies, prevent crime, and promote social reintegration, among other measures, to address the issue.

Referring to internally displaced persons in Honduras, who number more than 74,000, criminologists stress the need to reduce violence in a state with an intentional homicide rate of 60 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Among the cities where the largest number of murders occurs – most involving the use of firearms – are San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and La Ceiba.

(Prensa Latina)

The third working meeting between Cuban and U.S. officials was held in Havana, with the aim of increasing cooperation, to contribute to the implementation of the Joint Declaration between the Republic of Cuba and the United States on Environmental Protection, signed in Washington D.C., on November 24, 2015.

The U.S. delegation was headed by Ambassador David Balton, deputy assistant secretary for Oceans and Fisheries of the Department of State, and included representatives of the State Department, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce.

The Cuban delegation was headed by Dr. José Fidel Santana Núñez, deputy minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, and included further representatives of this Ministry, the Environment Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Specific initiatives and measures were defined in the fields of protection and sustainable management of marine biodiversity and the reduction of coastal vulnerability, through the exchange of scientific information and the undertaking of joint activities.

The U.S. delegation also visited areas of the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, an important part of the Cuban Protected Areas System, and learnt of the conservation and sustainable management efforts in this important wetland and related marine areas.

Both sides expressed their willingness to continue advancing in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

(CubaMinrex)

On December 17 last year, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, recognized that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba had failed, is obsolete, has not met the originally envisaged goals and causes damages to the Cuban people and isolation to the US Government.

Ever since then, the US President has been reiterating that the blockade should be lifted. He has urged the Congress of his country to do so instead of standing in the way of the US citizens who openly support its termination. He has committed to engage in a debate with that purpose and use his executive prerogatives to modify its implementation.

During the recently held 2030 Development Agenda Summit and at the United Nations General Debate, more than sixty Heads of States, Governments and Delegations welcomed and expressed their best wishes over the announcement of the new course taken by the US-Cuba relations, including the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the re-opening of embassies, and many of them demanded that the blockade is finally abolished.

Therefore, the interest and expectations raised by these deliberations and the subsequent vote, which takes place under new circumstances, are only understandable.

In the face of an almost unanimous claim by the international community -symbolized by the vote in favor of 188 member States and Cuba’s participation in the Summit of the Americas held in Panama-, and the clear majority of the US society and the Cuban emigration settled here, the US government has announced a new policy towards our country.

But the measures adopted by the US Administration, which entered into force on January 16 this year and were later on expanded on September 18, although positive, only modify, in a very limited way, some elements related to the implementation of the blockade.

Many of them could not be implemented unless others are adopted that would finally allow Cuba to freely export and import products and services to and from the United States; use American dollars in its international financial transactions and operate accounts in that currency in third countries banks and have access to credits and financing from private entities and international financial institutions.

The problem is not that the Cuban order hampers the implementation of these measures and therefore it needs to be modified in order to facilitate this process, as has been stated by some US officials. The problem is the implacable and systematic existence of the blockade.

We should not mix up reality with wishful thinking or good-will expressions. In these circumstances, one can only judge by facts.

And facts show, crystal-clear, that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba is being fully and completely implemented.

Ten months after the announcements made on December 17, no tangible, substantial modification has been introduced in the implementation of the blockade.

Cuba’s removal from the spurious list of States Sponsors of International Terrorism was the inevitable rectification of a nonsense, but this has hardly had any impact on the implementation of the blockade, which is supported by a far more comprehensive system of previously established sanctions and laws.

Barely a week ago, a 1.116 billion dollar fine was imposed on the French bank Credit Agricole, which adds up to the 1.710 billion dollar fine imposed on the German bank Commerzbank in March this year for doing transactions with Cuba and other States.

Only in recent weeks, the secure messaging system SWIFT cancelled a service contract; the first payment of the company Sprint to initiate direct telephone calls as well as several other banking transfers for the operations of charter flights were withheld.

The exiguous Cuban food purchases in the United States, one of the few exceptions to the blockade, which were approved in the year 2000 by the US Congress, significantly diminished last year because they are subject to discriminatory and onerous conditions: each purchase must be authorized by a license; the granting of credits is not allowed; Cuba is forced to pay in cash and in advance through banking entities of third countries and is not allowed to use its own vessels to transport those products.

Something similar happens with the imports of the medicines and the medical equipment that our country needs, which are also conditioned, since 1992, by the US law. Cuba is required to report on the final recipient of the medicines it acquires and is not allowed to make direct payments, but only through third parties and in a currency other than the US dollar, which entails additional difficulties, delays and costs.

Several other examples could be mentioned, such as the case of the company Elekta, which confirmed, on September 2 last, that it will not be able to supply to the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology or any other hospital in Cuba the radioactive isotope Iridium-192, which ensures the normal functioning of the brachytherapy equipment that are indispensable to offer higher quality and accuracy cancer therapies, because its purveyor, the US company Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, refused to sell it to Cuba.

The US company Small Bone Innovation Inc. has refused to supply wrists and hands joints prostheses to the “Frank País” Orthopedic Complex which are intended for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

In June last year, the US company SIGMA Aldrich refused to supply to the company Quimimpex the products, services and technical information which are indispensable to the chemical industry; and the US firm Columbiana Boiler Company informed the aforementioned company that it was not allowed to export the cylinders necessary to transport the chlorine destined to the treatment of water.

The blockade is a flagrant, massive and systematic violation of the human rights of all Cubans; it is contrary to International Law; it has been described as a crime of genocide by the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948 and is the main obstacle to the economic and social development of our people.

The human damages it has caused are inestimable. Seventy seven per cent of all Cubans have been suffering the blockade since the day they were born. The shortages and deprivations that it causes to all Cuban families can not be accounted for.

According to rigorous and conservative calculations, the economic damages it has caused after more than half a century amount to 833.755 billion dollars, based on the price of gold. At current prices, it amounts to 121.192 billion dollars, a figure of enormous proportions for a small economy like ours.

I hope that the US Representative will not come here now to tell us that the draft resolution does not accurately reflect the spirit of dialogue or the kind attitude of the US government; nor take on a hackneyed stand saying that the United States is the benefactor partner of the Cuban people that is only looking for its empowerment; or inflates the figure of 900 000 dollar donations by the civil society received in 2015, which are hampered by the blockade and appreciated by our people; or refer to the family remittances that are saved with great effort by the Cubans living here as if they were government funds; or consider as a commercial exchange the export licenses that are granted but are not materialized.

While it is up to the US Congress to adopt the decision to put an end to the blockade, the President has broad executive prerogatives to substantially modify its practical implementation and its humanitarian and economic impact.
We share the hope that the Congress of the United States would move on to change an inefficient, cruel and unjust policy, anchored in the past, and adopt decisions based on the values and feelings of its citizens.

Mr. President:

Historically, the United States has intended to establish its domination and hegemony on our homeland and, since 1959, it has tried to change the political, economic and social system that our people, fully exercising the right to self-determination, has freely chosen.

Some spokespersons from the US Government have declared that the announced Cuba policy is about a change of methods, not goals.

Should this be the case, the process towards the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba will face very serious obstacles.

The lifting of the blockade will be the essential element that will give some meaning to the progress achieved in the last few months in the relations between both countries and shall set the pace towards normalization.

As has been recognized by President Barack Obama, the lifting of the blockade serves the US national interest and is the will of the citizens of that country.

Any attempt to condition the lifting or modification of the blockade to the introduction of internal changes in Cuba will be in no way acceptable nor productive.

Cuba is ready to accept the opportunities and face the challenges of a new era in the relations between both countries, but it will never negotiate its socialist system or its internal affairs, nor will it allow any blemish on its independence, which was conquered at the price of the blood of its best sons and daughters and after the huge sacrifices made by many generations since the beginning of our independence wars in 1868.

As has been reiterated by President Raúl Castro Ruz, both governments must find the way to coexist in a civilized manner, despite their profound differences, and advance as much as possible for the benefit of the peoples of the United States and Cuba, through a dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.

There is no enmity between the peoples of the United States and Cuba. The Cuban people expressed its solidarity at the time of the terrible terrorist actions of September 11, 2001, or the devastating impact of hurricane Katrina.

We appreciate and recognize the progress achieved recently with the re-opening of embassies, the visits paid by the Secretaries of State and Commerce and the exchange of delegations; the functioning of a Steering Committee; the expansion of the areas of dialogue and cooperation, particularly in the filed of air and aviation safety; the combat of drug-trafficking, illegal migration and traffic in persons; law enforcement, environmental protection and health, among others.

We are really interested in developing fruitful relations; offering our hospitality to the US citizens who enjoy the freedom of traveling to Cuba; expanding enriching, cultural, sports, scientific and academic exchanges; promoting a multifaceted cooperation in areas of common interest, trade and investments.

We have initiated a human rights dialogue with a reciprocal character and despite our huge differences.

For all that we have been guided by the principles contained in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, signed by the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in January of 2014 in Havana, as well as the principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter.

This could also be a modest contribution to the quest for a new way in which human beings and nations can relate to one another in this era marked by global crisis, the inevitable impact of climate change, the non-conventional wars that unleash atrocious conflicts, new forms of terrorism, the existence of huge nuclear arsenals, extraordinary arms spending and the risk of pandemics.

As was stated fifteen years ago in this very hall by Fidel Castro Ruz, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, “Humanity should be aware of what we have been so far and what we can not continue to be. Presently, our species have enough accumulated knowledge, ethical values and scientific resources to move towards a new historical era of true justice and humanism. There is nothing in the existing economic and political order that can serve the interests of Humankind. Thus, it is unsustainable and it must be changed.”

Mr. President:

Twenty three years after this resolution was first adopted, we have achieved a remarkable progress in 2015.

It has been a reward for the indefatigable resistance, selfless efforts, the firm convictions of our people and the leadership of the historical generation of the Revolution headed by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and President Raúl Castro.

We are deeply grateful to all the governments and peoples, parliaments, political forces and social movements, representatives of the civil society, international and regional organizations that, particularly in this United Nations General Assembly, have contributed their voice and vote, year after year, to support the fairness and urgency of the elimination of the blockade.

We have made it all the way here thanks also to the majority and ever-growing support given by the US people to this lofty purpose, to whom we also convey our gratitude.

We know that the way ahead is long and difficult. We will continue to present this draft resolution for as long as the blockade persists.

The Cuban people will never renounce its sovereignty or the path that is has freely chosen to build a more just, efficient, prosperous and sustainable socialism. Neither will it give up in its quest for a more equitable and democratic international order.

Mr. President:
Distinguished Permanent Representatives:
Esteemed delegates:

We have presented a new draft resolution that recognizes the reality of the rigorous and oppressive implementation of the blockade against Cuba and also welcomes and recognizes, in the new preambular paragraphs, the progress achieved in the course of last year.

On behalf of the heroic, self-sacrificing and fraternal people of Cuba, I ask you to vote in favor of the draft resolution contained in document A/70/L.2. :”Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.”

Thank you, very much.

On this occasion, the resolution will be presented in the context of a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, which began this past December and has led to the reestablishment of diplomatic relations.

Cuban authorities have been clear that progress toward normalization will depend on steps taken to definitively end the blockade, among other critical issues.

The resolution presents updated details describing the economic and financial damage caused by the hostile policy, while emphasizing that modifications made by President Obama, using his executive powers, have had little impact, since fundamental aspects of the blockade remain in full force.

The report recognizes President Obama for the positive steps and the position he has taken, describing the policy as obsolete and calling for its elimination.

Cuba has for two decades consistently received the support of the international community, with only two or three countries in the General Assembly voting against its resolution.

Expected today is another resounding rejection of the blockade, which constitutes the greatest obstacle to development faced by the country.

(Granma)