Speaking at the first debate at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the draft resolution submitted by Cuba on the pressing need to put an end to the US blockade, the Mexican Chargé d’Affaires Alicia Buenrostro recalled that a month ago, in the same room, Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena called for the end to aberrant and unjustifiable situations. Today, we reiterate that call and ask for the end to the US blockade imposed on Cuba as it is contrary to international law.

Buenrostro added that Mexico categorically condemns such an unjust and hostile blockade as well as the decision to apply Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which has affected not only the sovereignty of the Cuban people, but also the national interests of third countries.

She also explained that in view of the severe economic situation caused by the effects of Covid-19, oil prices and natural disasters, it is urgent to put an end to this blockade.

Restricting exports, eliminating trade benefits, hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance and international credits, are all unjustifiable and unjust measures that must be suspended.

She expressed that the relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean is a priority for the Mexican Government, for which reason “we have worked hard to strengthen the processes of integration, dialogue and cooperation with the countries of our region”.

We firmly maintain that there should be no unilateral sanctions of any kind, other than those adopted by the Security Council, and we once again express our firm support for Cuba, a country with which Mexico will continue to work together to overcome common challenges through cooperation, dialogue and regional integration, she stressed.

Latin America and the Caribbean is a diverse region, but with a spirit of unity to be strengthened and not weakened by unilateral policies, she said and called on the United States to end the blockade without further delay and to favor dialogue to resolve its differences with Cuba.

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