New York, 3 October 2025- On 3 October, The Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, addressed the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, under Agenda Item 59, reaffirming the Cuba’s long-standing and principled position in favor of the definitive eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
In his statement, the Ambassador emphasized the significance of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations to renew the commitment to multilateralism and the defense of the right of peoples to self-determination and independence. He recalled that, almost 65 years after the adoption of the historic Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 17 non-self-governing territories remain, including Puerto Rico, demonstrating that the work of the Organization in this area is still incomplete.
The Cuban diplomat highlighted that colonialism is incompatible with the United Nations Charter, hinders the comprehensive development of peoples, and undermines their legitimate aspirations and identities. In this context, he gave special relevance to the proposal to declare December 14 as the International Day Against Colonialism in all its Forms and Manifestations, as an opportunity to strengthen the global awareness and collective action this scourge.
When addressing the question of Palestine, Ambassador Soberón reaffirmed Cuba’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounced Israel’s continued illegal occupation and colonization of their territories, and the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war. He stressed the urgency of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the withdrawal of occupying forces and unrestricted access to humanitarian assistance, reiterating that only a two-state solution, with an independent and sovereign Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, can guarantee a just and lasting peace.
Cuba reiterated that the eliminating colonialisms in all its forms and manifestations is an indispensable requirement for achieving historical justice, consolidating multilateralism, and building of a more just, equitable and inclusive international order.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.