Pretoria, 15 June 2026. —MP Benson Ngqentsu, presented at the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, a motion condemning, in the strongest terms, the US economic blockade against Cuba and the baseless accusations against the leader of the Revolution, Raúl Castro Ruz.
The MP denounced the fact that, for more than 60 years, the blockade has prevented Cuba from accessing “international markets, financing and essential goods”, violating its sovereignty and right to self-determination.
Ngqentsu also highlighted that “Cuba remains one of the few countries in the world where access to essential services such as healthcare and education is guaranteed as a social right, and not treated as a commodity”.
Ngqentsu’s statement also acknowledges Cuba’s historic contributions to humanity through its “internationalist programs in healthcare, education, disaster relief and solidarity with liberation movements and developing nations, including those on the African continent”.
Cuba is grateful for this gesture of fraternal solidarity. It reiterates that both the island and South Africa are two nations that will never surrender their sovereignty.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)