The Hague, August 20, 2025. On Wednesday morning, political science students at Leiden University in the Netherlands held a wide-ranging discussion on Cuban foreign policy, its principles, values, and history, as well as the current challenges facing the Greater Antilles. The Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in the Netherlands, Ana María Ortega Báez, participated in the discussion.
On this occasion, the diplomat outlined the values that have marked revolutionary diplomacy, as evidenced by successive events, and highlighted Cuba's unwavering commitment to the UN Charter and international law. She referred to the defense of the principles of political independence, sovereign equality, and self-determination of peoples, and in this context addressed the illegality of the commercial, economic, and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba.
The students showed great interest in learning about the reality of Cuba, especially the impact of the blockade and Cuba's inclusion on the spurious and unilateral list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism on the daily life of the Cuban people. They were also interested in the country's education and health systems, as well as its biopharmaceutical industry.
The approximately 100 attendees at the meeting thanked the embassy for its participation and for the pleasant and cordial exchange that allowed for a fruitful dialogue.
The meeting, which was held at one of the campuses of the prestigious educational institution, is part of the activities included in the Orientation Program for new students that takes place each year prior to the start of the school year.
Leiden University is a public research university located in Leiden, the Netherlands. Founded in 1575, it has seven academic faculties and is home to more than forty national and international research institutes.
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