Yesterday, June 30, 2025, the White House unveiled a new National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) reinforcing economic aggression and blockade measures against Cuba. Presented as a measure to "support the Cuban people," this decision not only relies on false assumptions but also perpetuates the suffering of those it claims to benefit. Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, denounced on his X account that this memorandum "Reinforces the economic aggression and blockade that punishes the entire Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development."
For his part, Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, exposed the essence of the NSPM on the same social media platform: "No U.S. national security interest [...] is served by this memorandum. It only caters to the narrow, vile, and vengeful interests of those who have built fortunes and political careers on aggression against Cuba." Indeed, this memorandum represents another missed opportunity to advance toward a constructive relationship between both countries. Its provisions constitute direct sabotage against the Cuban people’s aspirations for development.
While the defense of human rights is used to justify the blockade, it is ignored that this policy itself constitutes a massive violation of our fundamental rights: it restricts access to medicines, food, and essential technologies, violating our right to development and a dignified life.
For six decades, Cuba has demonstrated it will not yield to pressure. Our stance has never been to perpetuate conflict, but to seek solutions based on mutual respect and sovereignty. Moments of rapprochement have brought concrete benefits for both peoples: advances in tourism, trade, cultural and educational exchanges, cooperation on migration issues, environmental protection, law enforcement, and counterterrorism. These experiences prove that collaboration—not isolation—is the path to a prosperous future.
Cuba does not ask for favors. We demand respect for our sovereignty and right to determine our own destiny. This NSPM will not change our determination to build a just and independent nation. We reiterate: understanding can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation, never through confrontation.