New York, May 5, 2026 – The Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, spoke at a virtual briefing hosted by OCHA on the UN's updated Action Plan in Cuba and the so-called "humanitarian reset," which took place in Geneva.
In his speech, the Cuban diplomat denounced the United States' six-decade-long policy toward Cuba, which he said seeks to create scarcity and undermine the living conditions of the Cuban people through an economic, commercial, and financial blockade — a policy he qualified as criminal and widely rejected by the international community.
Soberón said that, since 2019, with the imposition of more than 250 new coercive measures, the siege has tightened significantly, especially in the energy sector. He labeled the decision adopted on January 29, 2026, as especially sensitive, since it threatens to impose tariff reprisals on countries exporting oil to Cuba — which he termed a full energy blockade with serious social and humanitarian consequences.
The Ambassador stressed that these actions have a direct impact on essential sectors such as transportation and medical services, as well as on the daily life of millions of Cubans — particularly affecting vulnerable groups. Additionally, he denounced the extraterritorial nature of recent measures targeting financial entities of third countries, in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed the Cuban people's resolve to move forward and avoid a humanitarian crisis, relying on their universal systems of health, education, and science, as well as on the capacity and preparedness of their human resources.
The Permanent Representative thanked the United Nations, OCHA, and the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Cuba for their continued support, as well as the contributions of member states and international partners to the updated Action Plan. He reiterated that this cooperation is essential to addressing the country's current complex situation and contributing to the well-being of the Cuban people, while reaffirming the resolute defense of national sovereignty and independence.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.