Speaking to the news service, the diplomat touched upon the hardships her country is currently, particularly the “criminal economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States, in force for over 60 years,” in violations of the Cuban population’s human rights.

“It must be said that Cuba, like all countries in the world, is facing the international economic crisis that followed the Covid-19 epidemics,” she said, and emphasized that this year has been tough for the island’s economy, particularly in the last two months “when two highly destructive hurricanes hit the island in the same month, and two earthquakes shook the eastern side.”

On the other hand, “the National Power Grid, which is old and requires reiterated repairs, has collapsed on three occasions,” also as a result of the US blockade, which makes it extremely difficult for the Cuban government to keep thermoelectric stations running.

Against this backdrop, Cuba is “changing the country’s energy matrix towards cleaner energies, solar, wind, to make up for costlier fuel prices,” she explained.

Regarding relations with Italy, the diplomat said that they are excellent and based on mutual respect, because “we have a tradition of friendship that goes back to the past and does not depend on individual governments or eventual changes.

“These are strong relations, because we are united by many traditions, a common history, and there is room to strengthen them even further,” she said.

In response to a question about relations between Cuba and the United States and their prospects in the wake of Donald Trump’s second term, Granda said that “Cuba has always shown its willingness to have stable relations with neighboring countries.”

“Although the first period of the Trump administration was particularly aggressive, we are ready to begin this new stage” and “we hope under this new term, he will be a little wiser,” added the Cuban ambassador.

ied/ro/ort