The Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Yuri Ariel Gala López, spoke today at the Security Council's open debate on “Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges,” convened by the Presidency of Panama.
In his speech, the Cuban diplomat acknowledged the essential role that maritime transport has played in the development of humanity, emphasizing that it is one of the most widely used and, at the same time, most dangerous industries, which requires global standards to protect life and the marine environment.
He highlighted the important role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in promoting navigation safety and preventing marine pollution caused by ships, and recalled that Cuba has been a member of this organization since 1966 and attaches particular importance to its efforts to develop maritime transport and comply with international standards. He reiterated his country's interest in continuing to participate in cooperation activities within the framework of the IMO, as well as its willingness to participate in triangular cooperation actions with maritime authorities of the region and other Member States.
Ambassador Gala López pointed out that Cuba has a solid legal framework for maritime safety, which includes the Navigation Law and the Port Law and their regulations, as well as a Criminal Code whose chapter 5 addresses acts against the safety of navigation. He also highlighted Decree-Law No. 55/2021, which establishes the Maritime Navigation Aid System, and the measures implemented by the country to strengthen safety, such as traffic control, ship inspection, and training of maritime personnel.
He emphasized that maritime security is particularly important for Cuba as a small developing island nation that is highly dependent on maritime transport for the development of its economy. In this context, he denounced the impact of the blockade imposed on Cuba by the US government, which he described as a flagrant violation of international law and an obstacle to freedom of international trade and navigation. He recalled that the US Torricelli Act sanctions vessels that enter Cuban ports for commercial purposes, prohibiting them from calling at US ports for six months, which increases costs and limits Cuban port operations. Added to this are the extreme economic warfare measures applied since 2019, aimed at preventing the supply of fuel to the island through sanctions and intimidation of producers, suppliers, transporters, and insurers.
Finally, the Cuban diplomat called for international cooperation and collective efforts to address common challenges in maritime security and promote a safe and sustainable maritime environment. He insisted on the need to avoid the militarization of waters and preserve regional and international peace and security.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations