New York, April 30, 2024. Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, addressed the general debate of the 46th meeting of the Information Committee of this multilateral organization.
In his speech, Soberón Guzmán said that the informatization of Cuban society continues to be a priority and added that the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector is part of the strategic objectives within the Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030.
The Cuban diplomat asserted that the development of this sector will continue despite the illegal blockade imposed by the United States, and that “it constitutes the main impediment to achieving a better flow of information and obtaining broader access to information and communications technologies (ICT) by Cubans, by making connectivity in the country difficult and more expensive and denying access to platforms and technologies.”
The economic damages and losses caused by this US policy of siege to the communications and informatization sector, including telecommunications, during the period from March 2022 to February 2023, are estimated at 41 million 270 thousand 50 dollars, he explained.
Likewise, Soberón Guzmán reiterated the total rejection and condemnation of the permanent radio and television aggression against Cuba, as well as the improper use of cyberspace by the United States government.
“These actions flagrantly contravene the Charter of the United Nations and the provisions of the International Telecommunication Union. Such is the case of the dissemination of programming specially designed to promote political destabilization,” he expressed.
He added that the financial support of the United States government is maintained for the development of platforms to generate ideological content that, from the northern territory, openly call for the subversion of the Cuban constitutional order.
Furthermore, the Caribbean ambassador emphasized that the use of communications technologies must be compatible with International Law and the Charter of the United Nations, and must be based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of the States and the internationally recognized norms of peaceful coexistence.
"We reaffirm Cuba's support for the efforts to establish a new world order on information and communications, more just and equitable, in which there is no room for illegal blockades that prevent the technological and digital development of peoples, and that contribute to promote peace and understanding among nations,” he concluded.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations