In his speech at the closing session of the 10th Congress of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), Cuba’s largest mass organization, Díaz-Canel underlined that a large part of the victory of the Summit was the contribution of Cubans, despite that detractors of Cuba tried to make the central issue less relevant.

The head of State charged that enemies of the Cuban Revolution tried to undermine the issues debated at the Summit, “as if the South were indifferent or unnecessary to debate science, technology and innovation.”

He stressed that the statements from nearly all leaders of the group, which represents 80 percent of the world’s population, highlighted the importance of the event to confront common problems such as poverty and development.

Díaz-Canel underscored that amid the difficulties and shortcomings it was possible to organize a memorable, austere Summit and prepare a solid intervention to present at the United Nations General Assembly, as a synthesis of the position of the G77+China on the most pressing problems globally.

The Cuban president stressed that during his stay at the United Nations, opponents of the Revolution also threatened and attempted boycotts; however, they failed and Cuba received numerous shows of solidarity in the United States, mainly from young people who believe that a better world is possible.

In that international scenario, Cuba took the voice of the South, denounced the problems of the region, several bilateral meetings were held and the Caribbean island was the protagonist along with Venezuela at a solidarity rally in New York.

The president explained that the meetings held in New York with representatives of various sectors confirmed the importance of bringing Cuba’s truth to the world, showing the real face of the country and demanding the lifting of coercive measures.

Díaz-Canel pointed out that although the Havana Summit has been questioned, as well as Cuba’s presence in the United Nations General Assembly, considering the Cuban context of the intensified blockade with its daily difficulties and shortcomings, “Cuba cannot isolate itself, nor accept the isolation that “they try to impose on it because they have not been able to break it.”

Cuba assumed the pro tempore presidency of the G77+China in January, the first time that the country leads that mechanism, and in that capacity, it convened the Summit.

jg/ro/mks