Cuba Says US Coercing Countries ahead of UN Blockade Vote
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accused the United States of exerting unprecedented pressure on sovereign nations in an attempt to prevent international condemnation of Washington’s blockade against Cuba during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session.
In a post on X, Rodríguez said the real threat lies not in Cuba but in the US blockade, alleging that the US State Department has employed threats and various forms of coercion to influence countries ahead of the General Assembly debate on the decades-long sanctions imposed on the island.
Rodríguez accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of attempting to make the international community complicit in collective punishment against the Cuban people.
He argued that Washington’s policies amount to a crime against humanity and warned that continued US actions risk escalating tensions toward military confrontation, which he said would only serve political interests while placing Cuban and American civilians at risk.
The Cuban foreign minister further accused the United States of disregarding international law and the UN Charter, calling on member states to reject US sanctions and support efforts to end the blockade during the General Assembly session.
Cuba says negotiations with US remain stalled
Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Rodríguez said negotiations with Washington have failed to make progress, blaming continued US sanctions and an extensive media campaign against Cuba.
He reiterated Havana’s willingness to engage in dialogue and resolve differences peacefully on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.
Commenting on the US announcement of a $100 million humanitarian assistance package for Cuba, Rodríguez said Havana has not received any of the promised aid.
“If Washington truly cared about the Cuban people, it would lift the blockade,” he said, questioning why the assistance has reportedly been delayed until the end of the year.
Cuba rejects Ukraine allegations, reaffirms solidarity with Venezuela
During a press conference, Rodríguez denied allegations that Cuba has participated in the conflict in Ukraine, dismissing claims of foreign military bases on Cuban territory and asserting that the only foreign base in Cuba is the “illegal” US naval base at Guantánamo Bay.
Separately, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the recent earthquake, offering condolences and affirming Havana’s support for Caracas.
Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanked Díaz-Canel for his message of solidarity, describing relations between the two countries as a historic brotherhood.
Sanctions deepen Cuba’s crisis
Earlier this month, the United States imposed new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, other Cuban officials, and companies central to the island’s economy. Washington says its sanctions are meant to pressure Cuba’s government, while Havana says the policy amounts to collective punishment against an entire population.
Rodríguez said US sanctions were “causing deaths” in Cuba, where shortages of fuel, food, medicine, and electricity have pushed daily life into deep crisis.
“The blockade and the policy of aggression and hostility of the United States government against Cuba are a threat to the existence and well-being of the Cuban people, and to the exercise of their human rights,” Rodríguez said.
The situation has sharply deteriorated since US President Donald Trump imposed an energy blockade in late January. The restrictions have worsened prolonged blackouts, fuel rationing, transport disruptions, flight cancellations, internet outages, reduced workdays, and the suspension of basic services such as garbage collection and water delivery.
UN experts have also criticized the US fuel blockade, warning that the restrictions have severe consequences for human rights and daily survival on the island.