Published on: 2026-09-26
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 26, 2026 UN
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, speaking at the general political debates of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, stated that pressure from the United States on his country has reached an unprecedented level. According to him, since January 2026 Washington has further tightened restrictions, effectively imposing an “energy blockade” on the island and hindering fuel supplies from other countries.
“The economic war is directed against the people”
Rodriguez stated that American measures affect practically all spheres of Cuba’s foreign economic relations – from the supply of food and medicines to tourism, investments, and access to financing and technologies. According to him, more than seven thousand containers remain blocked in various ports, many of which contain food products, medicines, and medical equipment. The Cuban minister claims that Washington also exerts pressure on foreign companies and governments, seeking to restrict their trade and cooperation with Havana.
“The economic war is directed against the people,” Rodriguez said. According to him, the consequences of the sanctions cannot be considered “collateral damage”: they lead to shortages of essential goods and cause suffering to Cuban families. The minister accused the United States of seeking to provoke a humanitarian crisis on the island and achieve a change of power through economic pressure.
Response to US Statements
The head of the Cuban Foreign Ministry also responded to the recent speech by US President Donald Trump at the General Assembly, in which he called Cuba a “failed state.”
“If that were the case, then why impose a fuel blockade? Why impose secondary sanctions? Why threaten, persecute, and pressure all the other countries on the planet?” asked Rodriguez. He also stated that the threat of military force against Cuba remains, warning that such a move would violate international law. “Let’s hope that never happens. Cuba will resolutely exercise its legal right to self-defense,” said the minister.
The UN needs to preserve and strengthen
A significant part of Rodriguez’s speech was dedicated to the state of the international system. According to him, the principle of sovereign equality of states and other foundations of international law are currently under constant pressure. At the same time, the minister emphasized that Cuba advocates not for weakening, but for strengthening the United Nations. “We are convinced of the need to preserve and strengthen the United Nations,” he stated, adding that the UN should become more democratic, effective, and closer to the people.
Rodriguez also spoke sharply about the situation in the Middle East, condemning Israel’s actions against the Palestinians, and also touched upon military actions against Iran and the situation around Venezuela. According to him, what is happening indicates a broader crisis of the international order, where force and economic coercion are increasingly used instead of the principles of the UN Charter.
The Cuban minister recalled the words of Fidel Castro, spoken from the General Assembly podium 66 years ago, that humanity will be able to achieve “genuine progress” when the philosophy of war, colonialism, and exploitation of peoples disappears.
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