New Zealand, September 1st, 2026
The Aotearoa New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society Statement And Declaration
The Aotearoa New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society was formed at a National Conference held in Ōtautahi Christchurch Trade Union Centre from 14th to the 16th of August 2026.
We are an umbrella organisation that includes delegates from regional Cuba Friendship Societies throughout New Zealand. Our purpose is to co-ordinate between regional Cuba Friendship Societies to organise national events and initiatives that promote friendship, understanding and co-operation between the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand and Cuba.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society's relationship with Cuba is based on our appreciation and support for:
Cuba’s right to self-determination,
Cuba’s belief that a better world is possible,
Cuba's ongoing resistance to imperialism,
Cuba's continuing commitment to equitable social programmes in a situation of imposed economic hardship,
Cuba's international generosity, solidarity in particular the education and literacy programmes, including in New Zealand, and the extraordinary medical aid and training programmes that benefited communities across the world, including the South Pacific,
Cuba's development of sustainable organic agriculture and renewable energy sources, and
Cuba's development of a culture of solidarity which is internationally recognised for its vitality,
The lessons that the above can teach us as a society;
The belief that there will be benefits to both Cuba and Aotearoa New Zealand if there are greater links through visits and exchanges, in all areas of social life - economic, educational, medical, agricultural, environmental, cultural, and through social and political organisations.
Declaration
We, the delegates of the Cuba Friendship Societies in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson declare that we are inspired by the ideas of independence and justice proclaimed by the Cuban revolution, and that we support the Cuban model.
Being aware that defending Cuba today is the only way to keep alive the hopes and dreams of social justice that the Cuban model provides, we hereby express our complete support and solidarity with the heroic Cuban people who have weathered many acts of aggression from successive US administrations since 1959.
We salute the Cuban people and their government for their many achievements throughout 67 years of the Revolution.
Revolutionary Cuba has displayed selfless solidarity with many peoples in need and continues to render assistance today - as evidenced by their recent deployment of a team of rescue specialists and Doctors to Venezuela to help in the rescue operation after the devastating earthquake there. This is despite the horrific conditions and deprivation being wrought upon them by the genocidal actions of the United States in their increasingly ferocious blockade.
We condemn the unjust, illegal, and criminal economic and trade blockade imposed by the US on Cuba, with the US disregarding the demand of most of the international community (United Nations’ annual vote to lift the illegal blockade).
We further condemn the intensification of this 66-year-old blockade, which has prevented Cuba from accessing oil since December 2026 (except one shipment from Russia). Furthermore, ships carrying essential foodstuffs, medicine and equipment have been blocked by the US from reaching Cuba.
We abhor these actions that have resulted in shortages of essential supplies and medicines, 20-hour blackouts, and a subsequent doubling in their infant mortality rate, which was formerly among the lowest in the world. Many surgeries are being delayed, and urgent ones are being performed with lights from cellphones, and people who would formerly have received treatment for their illnesses and survived are now dying.
We demand that the US administration immediately end:
the January 2026 executive order authorising secondary tariffs on goods from any country that ships oil to Cuba,
their illegal seizures of ships carrying oil and other cargo being shipped to Cuba, and
the Torricelli Act and the Helms-Burton Law, which infringe upon the sovereignty of all states.
The US Government must respect and adhere to the internationally accepted right of all nations and citizens to independence, self-determination, and the right to choose their own form of government and civil society.
We reject the double standards of successive US administrations in their so-called “war against terrorism” and their inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism. It is the United States that has historically and to this date committed acts of terrorism and collective punishment on Cuban people.
We demand the return to Cuban sovereignty of the territory of the Guantanamo Naval Base located in the eastern part of Cuba and illegally occupied by the US, which is used as a jail and torture centre.
We also condemn the way in which Cuba is presented in a distorted manner by imperialism and the mass media in its service. Portraying the Cuban revolutionary process in a negative light allows the US to continue carrying out aggressive policies against Cuba. For this reason, we reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to promote awareness of Cuba’s situation.
We wish to commend the current Aotearoa New Zealand Government for the recent vote in favour of Cuba in the UN General Assembly, and the statement from the NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs which confirmed Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to the right to self-determination of Cuba.
We acknowledge the warm and constructive relationship that exists between the governments of Aotearoa New Zealand and Cuba. However, we call upon the Aotearoa New Zealand government to recognise the severity of the current situation and act with urgency to resolve it.
We believe there will be many benefits to both Cuba and Aotearoa New Zealand if there are greater links through visits and exchanges, in all areas of social life, including politically, economically, and socially.
In light of the current suffering being experienced by Cubans, in particular Cuban infants, we would like to see humanitarian aid, such as milk powder, sent to Cuba.
We would also like to see the Aotearoa New Zealand government utilise the skills and talents of Cuban healthcare professionals to address the many issues in our healthcare system.
We will continue working with and supporting other Cuba solidarity movements throughout the world.