The Cuban diplomat, who spoke at the Organizational Meeting of the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), being held the UN headquarters in New York, warned about the persistence of remnants of colonialism today, with new modalities.

“Although colonialism was almost completely abolished in the second half of the 20th century, there is still work to be done today. The remnants of colonialism have prevailed with new modalities,” said the ambassador, who was elected vice president of the Special Committee on Decolonization.

The Cuban representative insisted on the importance of continuing to examine the enforcement of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. “Almost 65 years after its historic adoption, there are still territories subjected to colonial domination,” he stressed.

In this regard, he reiterated that “Cuba will continue to defend the inalienable right to free self-determination and independence of the brotherly people of Puerto Rico.”

“The peoples of colonial countries and territories look to the United Nations with hope. To remain impassive in the face of their situation would be an irreparable error,” he added.

The C-24 has 29 members. It was established in 1961 by the General Assembly as a subsidiary body devoted to issues relating to decolonization, pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 1654 (XVI) of November 27, 1961.

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