Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, speaks at a press briefing in Havana, accusing the U.S. of coercing nations ahead of the UN embargo vote
Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, has accused the United States government of waging an “extraordinary campaign of intimidation, deception, and misinformation” against other nations ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba.
Speaking at a news conference in Havana, Rodríguez alleged that Washington is exerting pressure on several governments, particularly in Latin America and Europe, to alter their traditional support for the annual resolution calling for an end to the decades-long blockade.
“We have reliable information that the United States government is exerting intimidating and deceptive pressure on several countries,” Rodríguez stated. “Their aim is to coerce them into modifying their historic position in support of lifting the blockade.”
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly is set to debate the resolution titled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba” on October 28 and 29.
Historically, the resolution has enjoyed overwhelming support from the international community, with only the U.S. and a few allies opposing it.
According to Rodríguez, the U.S. has distributed “slanderous and mendacious” documents to discredit Cuba and justify its continued sanctions. He presented what he described as copies of U.S. State Department letters allegedly warning countries of possible diplomatic or economic repercussions if they back Cuba’s position.
Calling the claim that “there is no blockade” “shamelessly false,” the minister cited the Helms-Burton Act and Torricelli Act, which restrict trade and penalize third countries doing business with Havana.
Rodríguez described Washington’s posture as “extraordinarily cynical,” accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy for labeling Cuba a threat to international peace while pursuing “aggressive foreign policies” globally.
He further noted that the embargo — in place for more than six decades — remains the “main obstacle” to Cuba’s development, citing shortages of food, fuel, and essential goods as consequences of U.S. sanctions.
Rejecting U.S. claims that Cuba recruits fighters for the war in Ukraine, Rodríguez said such allegations were “utterly false” and aimed at tarnishing the country’s reputation.
“This anxiety reveals the conviction that the blockade will lead to profound discredit and absolute isolation of the U.S. government,” he added. “Once again, the world will vote for truth, justice, and international law.”
The vote is expected to reaffirm the global consensus against the embargo, which Cuba estimates has caused over $150 billion in losses since 1962.
“It will be the international community and the United Nations General Assembly against the blockade,” Rodríguez concluded.
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