New York, 23 July 2026. – During Thursday's open debate of the UN Security Council on strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, Cuba reaffirmed that preventing conflicts requires addressing their root causes and applying the United Nations Charter and international law comprehensively and without double standards. Cuba's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, highlighted that peace cannot be built on coercion, hegemonic practices or the threat of force.
In his speech, the Cuban diplomat emphasized that the mechanisms provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter—such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and judicial settlement—are essential tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes. However, he cautioned that their effectiveness will continue to be limited as long as the selective application of international law, the unilateral use of force, and the imposition of unilateral coercive measures for the purpose of exerting political pressure persist.
Ambassador Soberón denounced that the United States’ policy toward Cuba contradicts the principles of peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality and non-interference that should govern the international relations. He noted that the intensification of the economic, trade, and financial war—including the energy blockade imposed on the island and the repeated threats of aggression—constitute serious violations of international law and the United Nations Charter, and are incompatible with efforts aimed at strengthening international peace and security.
He also reiterated that Cuba poses no threat whatsoever to the United States and reaffirmed our country’s willingness to engage in a serious, respectful, and constructive dialogue based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs. He also warned that any act of military aggression against Cuba would have extremely serious consequences for regional and international peace and security, as it would jeopardize the commitment made by Latin America and the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace.
In closing his speech, Cuba's Permanent Representative called on the international community to strengthen the mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes through strict adherence to the UN Charter, by abandoning coercive and confrontational policies, and by promoting dialogue based on states' sovereign equality. He reaffirmed that Cuba will continue to uphold peace, multilateralism and international law, while exercising its right to preserve its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations