Wellington, May 5, 2026.- The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to New Zealand, Luis Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez, and Dr. Josephine Varghese, Professor of Political Science at the University of Canterbury, delivered a conference on May 4 at the Victoria University of Wellington, at the invitation of the university’s Latin Club.
The event brought together students, academics, and members of the Cuba Friendship Association in Wellington, creating a space for dialogue on current international dynamics and Cuba’s situation.
In his remarks, the Cuban Ambassador expressed gratitude for international solidarity and highlighted recent mass mobilizations across Cuba, in which millions reaffirmed their commitment to national sovereignty and the social project.
He addressed the increasingly unstable global context, marked by the normalization of the use of force and the expansion of unilateral coercive measures. He also denounced the impact of the U.S. blockade on Cuba, including its recent tightening and its effects on key sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and daily life.
The Ambassador emphasized the extraterritorial nature of these measures, which affect not only Cuba but also third countries and international actors, thereby posing a threat to international law and state sovereignty.
He also highlighted the resilience of the Cuban people and the country’s potential in areas such as natural resources and scientific development, particularly in the biomedical sector. He further addressed new forms of confrontation in the digital sphere and the growing role of global solidarity networks.
Dr. Varghese contributed an academic perspective on contemporary geopolitical dynamics and underscored the importance of critical thinking in today’s polarized world.
The event reaffirmed the role of universities as vital spaces for dialogue, reflection, and the pursuit of solutions grounded in justice, sovereignty, and international cooperation.