London, September 3, 2025 - The Cuban ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ismara Vargas Walter, participated in a round table organized by the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU). The session was presided over by parliamentarian Fabian Hamilton, president of the BGIPU and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Latin America.
During her speech, the ambassador described the devastating effect of the economic, trade, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, and spoke about the "profound economic crisis that severely affects our people." She detailed the acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, as well as the prolonged power outages that the population faces. She pointed out that this situation is a direct result of the blockade, which she described as "economic warfare." She stated that since 2017, the policy has intensified, bringing it to a qualitatively more harmful dimension.
Similarly, the ambassador condemned Cuba's inclusion on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and explained how this unjust designation further aggravates the difficulties caused by the blockade. She emphasized that the "terrorist list" label contributes to stigmatization, restricts access to financing, medications, and essential supplies, and hinders international cooperation in areas such as health and science.
The diplomat also highlighted the resilience and innovation of the Cuban people in the face of this hostility, citing the island's renowned biotechnology sector as an example. She mentioned relevant developments such as Heberprot-P for diabetic foot ulcers, the therapeutic vaccine CIMAvax-EGF against lung cancer, and NeuroEpo, a promising drug in the fight against Alzheimer's.
The ambassador thanked the government of the United Kingdom for its consistent vote in the UN General Assembly against the blockade and urged parliamentarians to support the swift ratification of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Cuba, signed in November 2023. She explained that this agreement constitutes a framework for an equal partnership that can increase trade exchange and facilitate collaboration in multiple areas.
The roundtable included legislators from both houses of the British Parliament and various parties, including members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba (APPG). Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also participated in the meeting, including Alawi Kabariti, Head of the team for Central America, Mexico, and Cuba, as well as representatives from Canning House, a prestigious academic institution specialised in Latin American and Caribbean affairs.
The session also included statements from the heads of mission from Guatemala and Panama, who presented their realities and perspectives. The ambassador was accompanied by Counsellor Ivian Alfonso Piñar.