Press Release: Cuba presents resolution at U.N. demanding Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence.

New York, 18 June 2018.“Cuba reaffirms the inalienable right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination and independence, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and the applicability of the fundamental principles of that resolution to the question of Puerto Rico...", reiterated today the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, during the consideration of the question of Puerto Rico by the United Nations Committee on Decolonization.

The island's diplomat reviewed the history of the Puerto Rican people, that was imposed more than 61 years ago the misnamed Commonwealth status, granting the U.S. Congress full authority and powers over Puerto Rico in matters such as defense, international relations, foreign trade and monetary policy. She argued that this was merely a maneuver to mask an act of clear colonial domination, recognized by the United States Supreme Court, Congress and its Government itself in 2016, noting that the Caribbean island lacks sovereignty of its own and is completely subject to the powers of Washington, in other words, it is an American possession, a colonial territory.

She also referred to the economic and social situation of the island, with a depressed economy and a public debt of more than $72 billion, which is impossible to pay without dramatically sacrificing the quality of basic education, health and security services to the population, which has been aggravated by the devastating effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria that struck the territory in September 2017.

Rodriguez Camejo reiterated that the final solution to Puerto Rico's fate is not an internal United States issue, but a matter for the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization and the entire international community.

She reiterated Cuba's unequivocal commitment to the self-determination and independence of the brotherly people of Puerto Rico, based on a relationship of deep historical roots and a common struggle of more than a century.

The Cuban representative once again called on the United Nations Decolonization Committee to fulfill its duty to support Puerto Rico in its yearnings for independence and freedom, which have not been snatched away by 120 years of U.S. colonial rule.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.