Speech by the Head of the Cuban Delegation to the XVI BRICS Summit, HE Mr. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Kazan, Russia, October 22-24, 2024
His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation:
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government:
Distinguished Heads of Delegations and Delegates:
The complicated electro-energy contingency and the simultaneous impact of a hurricane in our country have prevented the presence at this important Forum, as was his plan, of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
The country has suffered a massive disconnection of the national electric-energy system for 5 days, caused, firstly, by the lack of fuel and the paralysis of generating plants and by the technological difficulties in restoring it in the face of associated breakdowns and their precarious state.
It is a direct consequence of the extreme economic warfare measures applied by the US government since 2019, specifically designed to prevent fuel supplies, and parts and pieces for technical maintenance and investment, against suppliers, transporters and insurers. In just one year, the US government penalized 53 vessels and 27 companies.
The deprivation of financial resources and the impediments to our bank transfers due to the blockade and the List of Alleged Countries Sponsors of Terrorism, as well as difficult weather conditions for navigation and unloading ship to ship, as is often imposed on us, generated the conditions for the disruption of the supply chain.
The consequences have not been even more serious thanks to the selflessness of the 52 thousand electrical workers, engineers and managers; the conscious participation and popular mobilization in support of the recovery; the understanding and complete tranquility of the citizens and the effective leadership of the Government.
I wish to thank the numerous displays of solidarity and the offers of cooperation that we so appreciate and need.
For Cuba, it is an extraordinary honor to participate in this Meeting of Leaders of the Member States in the expanded format of BRICS, which is successfully taking place in the multicultural and hospitable city of Kazan. On behalf of the Cuban President and people, I wish to thank the generous invitation extended by the President of the Russian Federation.
Due to their political, economic and demographic weight, the BRICS have emerged as a fundamental actor of growing relevance, authority and leadership on the global geopolitical stage and a real hope for the countries of the South in their complex path towards achieving a more just, democratic, equitable and sustainable international order.
From this platform, we reiterate Cuba's strong rejection of any attempt to impose what has been called a "rules-based" international order, an alternative to International Law, on whose norms and principles international relations are based.
We especially appreciate the Group's contribution to the path towards the urgent and profound reform of the international financial system, which is obsolete, unjust, speculative and exclusive.
For its part, the New Development Bank of the BRICS plays an increasingly decisive role, as an important alternative for the nations of the South, in order to access financial resources under fairer conditions.
By implementing the broad-based foreign currency reserve mechanism and establishing credit lines in local currencies, the BRICS contribute to the formation of a new, necessary and inclusive international financial architecture.
Its extension to other countries would help alleviate the effects of the current unfair and unbalanced international monetary system and reduce the influence of the US dollar, frequently used as an instrument of pressure that has a very negative impact on the quality of life of many of our people.
Excellencies:
Cuba shares similar points of view to those expressed in the declaration of this XVI Summit of the BRICS, in Kazan, as well as those contained in the Joint Communiqué of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of June 2024.
We see with satisfaction that the BRICS have among their priorities the confrontation of the current global food and energy crisis, with very positive experiences, the results of which have been validated in many of its member states, including greater use and generation of renewable energies in development projects, matters of vital importance for all the nations of the South.
My country maintains historic relations with all the member countries of the BRICS, as well as with the nations invited to this important meeting.
We have successfully inserted ourselves in many of the initiatives promoted by member countries of the Group, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Global Development Initiative proposed by China; and the Eurasian Economic Union, which we have joined as an Observer.
Cuba's presence today in Kazan embodies our desire to deepen this path, in the search not only for cooperation and mutual benefits, but also to join, as has been formally requested of the Russian Federation in its capacity as Pro Tempore President of the Group, as a "Partner Country", for which we hope to count on the support of all of you.
We also come to share and make available to you our experiences and results in diverse spheres such as the biomedical pharmaceutical industry, health, education; and science and innovation.
Our country has an important infrastructure and highly qualified human resources that favor the development of cooperation in various productive and investment sectors, supported also by policies and regulations to make them increasingly favorable.
Considered the Key to the Gulf, due to its strategic position in the Caribbean Sea, Cuba can facilitate the access of the BRICS countries to important markets in Latin America and the Caribbean and establish strategic partnerships for the benefit of our countries.
Excellencies:
For more than 60 years, Cuba has had to face a fierce economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by successive US governments, which has also been intensified in an extreme, unprecedented and cruel manner since 2019, even during the COVID pandemic, and aggravated by the infamous and unfounded inclusion of our country in the spurious list of countries that supposedly sponsor terrorism, which has a very negative impact on the quality of life of all Cubans and causes severe humanitarian damage, shortages and suffering.
The dignified, victorious and creative resistance of the Cuban people has received the encouragement and support of many of the countries gathered in this room, and the backing of the international community, a gesture that we deeply appreciate.
Excellencies:
Like the BRICS, Cuba shares the deep concern and condemnation of the genocide in Palestine and the escalation in the Middle East, as a result of the aggressiveness and impunity with which the State of Israel acts, with the military, logistical, financial and political support of the United States government.
In order to achieve peace in the Middle East, it is urgent to reach a comprehensive, lasting and fair solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which includes the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and guarantees of the return of refugees. Likewise, the immediate admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN must take place.
Excellencies:
Cuba also reiterates its support for the joint proposal presented by China and Brazil to reach a serious, constructive, realistic and peaceful diplomatic solution to the current conflict in Ukraine, in strict adherence to International Law and with guarantees of security and sovereignty for all parties involved. We oppose the conduct of NATO, dragged by the United States government into direct involvement in the conflict that threatens international peace and security, with devastating consequences.
The proliferation of unilateral coercive measures against Russia and the supply of arms and funds to fuel the war must cease.
Likewise, please accept the solidarity of Sandinista Nicaragua and President Commander Daniel Ortega against interference in its internal affairs.
Excellencies:
I wish to express full and profound solidarity in the face of unilateral coercive campaigns and measures with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the leadership of Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro Moros.
I am pleased to reiterate to the Russian Federation our best wishes for success during this Summit and its attentive hospitality.
Thank you very much.
(Cubaminrex)