Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
CUBA will not relent in defending its independence and sovereignty despite sustained external pressure, Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has said.
Addressing the 10th Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit, Minister Parrilla said Havana remained committed to regional integration, unity and political coordination among Latin American and Caribbean nations.
“We have attended all its summits with the will to promote and strengthen integration among our nations, as well as inclusive dialogue and political coordination among our States and Governments,” he said.
He said Cuba, a founding member of CELAC, had consistently upheld the principles of sovereign equality and collective independence.
“Without hesitation or conditions, we have firmly defended sovereign equality and collective independence, and have promoted within our Community the principle of unity in diversity,” said Minister Parrilla.
He criticised the United States for maintaining what he described as a decades-long economic blockade against the island nation.
Minister Parrilla said the embargo, which has been in place for more than 60 years was illegal and cruel and had recently been intensified.
“Cuba has not relented, nor will it relent, in its determination to preserve and resolutely defend its full independence and absolute sovereignty,” he said.
The Cuban minister said the country had managed to mitigate the impact of sanctions through the resilience and unity of its people, as well as government-led economic reforms.
“We have been able to mitigate its worst impacts thanks to the participation, awareness, unity, and dedication of our people,” he said.
Minister Parrilla dismissed claims that Cuba poses a threat to US national security.
“It is well known that Cuba is not a threat to the national security of the United States,” he said.
Despite strained relations, Minister Parrilla said Cuba remained open to dialogue with Washington.
“Faithful to our tradition, we maintain talks with the US government based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, reciprocal benefit and international law, without interference in internal affairs,” he said.
Minister Parrilla urged regional unity in the face of external pressure.
“With clarity and firmness, we denounce before this Summit that the United States threatens the peoples of Our America and that danger can only be confronted if we stand united,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed support for the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and said CELAC remained a critical platform for advancing unity, cooperation and development in the region.
