Mr. President,
As highlighted in the report, Haiti is experiencing a severe multidimensional crisis that exacerbates social instability and structural underdevelopment, caused by centuries of colonial and neo-colonial pillage and foreign interventions.
The international community owes an enormous historical debt to this heroic Caribbean nation, the first to break free from the colonial yoke and abolish slavery in the Americas.
The reconstruction of Haiti, grounded in the strict respect for its sovereignty and independence, remains an unfulfilled task.
Haiti needs greater and stronger international solidarity. It requires greater and stronger assistance and cooperation to overcome its immense challenges and socioeconomic disparities, which hinder the stability, development, and progress of its people. Just a little generosity is needed to replace a great deal of selfishness.
We should agree to devote to Haiti at least a portion of the million-dollar resources that this Council squanders to fund useless interfering and punitive mechanisms.
Haiti does not manufacture weapons, but there are more than half a million assault rifles, machine guns and other firearms in the country, most of which come from the state of Florida in the United States. That country should do much more to halt the illegal arms trafficking that fuels violence in Haiti.
Since 1998, Cuba has consistently provided solidarity-based cooperation to Haiti in areas that significantly impact its people, particularly public health. Our doctors have remained there, even under the most challenging circumstances. Hundreds of Haitian students have graduated and continue their studies at our universities, completely free of charge.
We will continue to offer our helping hand to that nation. The brotherly Haitian people will always have Cuba's unwavering solidarity and support.
Thank you.