Paris, February 2, 2026. – The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO denounced, during the coordination meeting of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) accredited to the Organization, the scope of the new escalation of aggressions by the United States Government against Cuba and its implications for regional stability.
The Cuban representation recalled that Latin America and the Caribbean was proclaimed a Zone of Peace, a commitment also supported by the United Nations system, and warned of the threats posed by recent US actions, in open contradiction with the United Nations Charter and International Law.
In that forum, Cuba condemned the decision of the United States Government to impose new coercive measures aimed at blocking the supply of fuel to the country, through pressure and sanctions against third States that maintain legitimate trade relations with the Island. Such provisions, announced by executive order on January 29, 2026, constitute a violation of International Law and reinforce the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed against the Cuban people for more than six decades. The executive order by President Donald Trump has humanitarian consequences for a people who have offered their solidarity to the entire world. For years, the stated intention has been to "render by hunger" the Cuban people to force them to abandon the construction of a political system and a social program it has been defending for over 60 years, despite the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which has become the main barrier to the Island's development.
The delegation based its denunciation on the principles of International Law, of which UNESCO is a guardian. It pointed out that the justification for the executive order – based on the false accusation that Cuba represents an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security – lacks any foundation and evidence, and constitutes a pretext to apply a maximum pressure policy that has already lasted more than six decades.
Cuba reiterated that it does not constitute any threat to the United States or any other country, recalling its record as a peaceful, solidary, and cooperative nation. On the contrary, it emphasized that it is the US Government which, through these unilateral coercive actions, undermines the stability, security, and development of the entire region.
Likewise, it reaffirmed that it will continue to defend multilateralism, respect for International Law and its irrevocable commitment to cooperation and joint work within the framework of UNESCO, while advocating that the upcoming Latin America and the Caribbean Week at the Organization reaffirms the region's status as a Zone of Peace.