Cuba: We are the country that resisted sanctions the longest

Regarding the United States sanctions against his country, Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel said that “Cuba is not the first country to be sanctioned, but it is the one that has resisted these sanctions for the longest time.”

When addressing participants in the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York, Canel stated that the financial mechanisms for the countries of the South must be reconsidered and called for a “new and fairer social contract.” “. Canel emphasized that the United States follows an unfair policy towards his country and stated that “Cuba has not taken a single action that harms the economic sector, commercial activities or the social fabric of the United States.”

Arguing that the current international order is irrational and unsustainable for the planet, Canel stated that the global financial system is an obsolete and dysfunctional practice that serves colonialism. Canel affirmed that the global financial system must be reformed and said:

“The G77 countries spend a significant part of their income on debt instead of investing in health and education. Creditors need to refinance debts in ways that do not stifle nations’ progress. How can sustainable development be achieved with this noose around our neck?

Stating that it is not enough for the UN to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals under these conditions, Canel emphasized that broad access to international markets, fair and preferential financing, technology transfer and cooperation must be supported.

Canel reiterated Cuba’s commitment to multilateralism, climate action, the promotion of peace and sustainable development, and demanded the opening of new lines of credit for vulnerable countries suffering from climate and environmental disasters.

Recalling the sanctions imposed on Venezuela and Nicaragua, Canel demanded that these unjust activities stop. (AA)