Excellencies,
Cuba has come before this World Health Assembly to denounce an extremely serious situation. Our country is under threat of direct military aggression by the government of the United States, under false pretexts. Nothing could justify such a brutal and uncivilized act by this leading power.
We call upon all peace-loving nations committed to just causes to mobilize in order to prevent an aggression that would have unforeseeable consequences for our region, and for Cuba in particular. No one should doubt the determination of the Cuban people to defend their sovereignty and independence.
Since January 29, the United States has imposed a total fuel blockade against Cuba, adding to an already reinforced economic blockade and to its cumulative effects over more than 60 years.
It is a measure with a severe impact on our health system, inflicting extraordinary harm on every Cuban family, particularly on children, older people and patients.
Despite ongoing efforts, neonatal mortality has doubled, reaching 9.9 per 1,000 live births in 2025. The survival rate of children with cancer has fallen from 85% to 65%. Today, the country’s surgical waiting list exceeds 100,387 patients, of whom 12,000 are children. Maternal and child health care faces the challenge of ensuring follow-up for 34,000 pregnant women who require essential diagnostic ultrasound examinations.
In Cuba, nearly 5 million people are living with chronic diseases, including 16,000 patients requiring radiotherapy and 12,400 undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, care is provided to 3,000 hemodialysis-dependent patients. These services require a stable energy supply, which is currently very difficult to ensure.
Behind these statistics are patients who suffer and families waiting for solutions that are at times delayed, or never arrive.
Creating shortages, hardship, and extreme suffering on millions of people is nothing less than genocide and deserves the condemnation of all WHO Member States.
Despite the enormous challenges, the National Health System has not collapsed, nor will it. We will continue to reorganize, relying on resilience and the optimal use of resources. I can assure you that Cuba will endure.
On behalf of our people and government, I wish to convey our gratitude and profound appreciation to all those who are extending their valuable support and solidarity to Cuba in these difficult times.
Mr. President,
In closing, I wish to reaffirm that Cuba will never, under any circumstances, renounce its humanist principles. We will continue to provide support to other countries of the Global South in need.
We will continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with the WHO and PAHO, mindful of the priority of making the human right to health a reality for all human beings.
Thank you.