Intervention by the representative of Brazil at the UN general debate on the lifting of the blockade of Cuba. teleSUR
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.
00:07 (In Spanish.)
00:12 Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, Brazil aligns itself made by St. Vincent of the Grenadines
00:27 on behalf of the economic community of Latin American Caribbean states and that made by
00:33 Uganda on behalf of the group of 77 in China, and we present this in our national capacity.
00:41 I welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, His Excellency Mr. Bruno Rodriguez
00:45 Parilla, and I would like to thank the Secretary General for his report A/78/84 on this theme.
00:53 My delegation reiterates its firm opposition to the economic, commercial, and financial
00:58 embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba and the application of extraterritorial
01:07 national commercial laws that are discriminatory. We do not agree with the imposition of unilateral
01:12 sanctions of any kind. The only legitimate sanctions are those which are adopted by the
01:18 Security Council in the context of its exercise of its competence in regard to maintenance
01:24 of international peace and security and in conformity with Chapter 7 of the United Nations
01:30 Charter.
01:33 For many years we have been asking for the normalization of relations with Cuba by the
01:36 government of the United States of America. Our objection of the economic, commercial,
01:42 and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba since 1962
01:49 is almost of international consensus. The sanctions imposed against Cuba have not just
01:55 generated significant losses for the country in monetary terms over the last 60 years.
02:01 In quality terms, it has also affected, without doubt, and continues to affect, the full enjoyment
02:08 of the rights of the Cuban people. It prejudices the poorest people who are affected by these
02:16 unilateral measures through unemployment. The embargo is also an obstacle for the efforts
02:24 by Cuba to achieve sustainable development goals.
02:28 Mr. President, the inclusion of Cuba on a list of states sponsoring terrorism of the
02:34 United States on 12 January 2021 worsens the impact of the economic embargo. Putting them
02:42 on this list lacks any justification, and therefore we call for Cuba to be removed from
02:49 that list. Enhancing economic relations with Cuba is the proper path to be followed by
02:54 all countries who are interested in supporting the development of that island and improving
03:00 the living conditions of millions of Cuban citizens.
03:05 President Lula, in his opening statement at the 78th session of the General Assembly on
03:12 19 September, said that Brazil will continue to denounce any measures that are not supported
03:18 by the UN Charter, such as the economic and financial embargo against Cuba and the intent
03:23 to list that country as a state co-sponsor of terrorism. This statement today enhances
03:32 this important and urgent appeal.
03:34 Mr. President, in conclusion, Brazil will vote in favour of the draft resolution 78L5.
03:41 Thank you very much.
03:42 I should like to thank the distinguished representative of Brazil.