New York, June 17, 2026. – Cuba denounced before the United Nations the grave humanitarian consequences of the intensified economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States and called for strengthened funding for international humanitarian assistance to respond to the growing needs of millions of people worldwide.
During his intervention at the General Debate of the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, warned of the convergence of multiple global crises, including armed conflicts, climate change, food insecurity, and forced displacement, in a context marked by insufficient resources for humanitarian action.
The Ambassador underscored the need to mobilize sufficient, predictable, and sustainable funding for humanitarian assistance, and reiterated that such assistance must be provided in strict adherence to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. He also reaffirmed that respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of States is indispensable to ensuring a legitimate and effective humanitarian response.
Soberón denounced the devastating impact of unilateral coercive measures and pointed out that the intensified blockade, the energy siege, and the secondary measures applied against Cuba directly affect essential sectors such as health, education, water supply, transportation, agricultural production, and the distribution of food and medicines.
In that regard, he recalled that the fuel shortage prevents the distribution of nearly 50% of the medicines produced in the country and that, according to United Nations data, 170 containers with essential products valued at 6.3 million dollars remain undelivered to their beneficiaries due to restrictions arising from the energy siege. He also rejected threats of military aggression and attempts to use an alleged humanitarian crisis as a pretext for foreign intervention.
In conclusion, the Permanent Representative reaffirmed the determination of the Cuban people to defend their independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and assured that Cuba will continue to face these challenges, supported by the resilience of its population and the capacities of its health, education, and science systems.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations