New York, 25 May 2018. The Permanent Mission of Cuba served as the stage yesterday evening for an emotional meeting between the diplomatic staff of Cuba accredited to the United Nations and a broad representation of Cubans residing in the United States, from Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York.
In her welcoming remarks, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, dedicated an opening address to remembering the victims of the unfortunate plane crash in Havana last week, among whom were several Cuban citizens living in the United States. "Our sincere expressions of solidarity and heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of the victims," she said.
She further stressed the significance of this meeting, which took place a few days after the 123rd anniversary of the fall in combat of our National Hero José Martí, whose life and work was closely linked to the United States and New York, in particular to the community of Cuban émigrés, from whom he received vital support in preparing the Necessary War. She also recalled the support received from many of our fellow countrymen living here for the idea of having in Cuba a replica of the equestrian statue of the Apostle located in the Central Park of this city, a dream that, thanks to this support, became a reality.
Referring to the value of these expressions of continuing solidarity in past and present times, Rodriguez Camejo said that these gestures strengthen the commitment to continue fighting until the achievement of the complete normalization of ties between Cubans on the island and residents in the United States.
The Cuban Ambassador provided some statistical data and examples that show the increase in ties between Cubans living abroad and their nation, while emphasizing that it will not be possible to achieve normal relations in the area of migration as long as the so-called Cuban Adjustment Act remains in force, which continues to foster irregular migration and prevents the establishment of normal contacts between Cubans on either side of the Strait of Florida.
In this context, she referred to the setback suffered in the links between the two countries since the current United States administration took office, particularly in the actions that seek to tighten the blockade.
“However -she said- we know that this policy does not have the support of the majority of Cubans living in the United States and only favors minority sectors of emigration interested in maintaining an atmosphere of confrontation between the two countries”.
The Cuban diplomatic representative dedicated the final segment of her address to express some reflections on the recently concluded general election process in Cuba, which she described as a reaffirmation of the democratic and broadly participatory character of our political and electoral system.
At this point, she valued as the most important element the fact that what happened in Cuba was an act of natural replacement and continuity and stressed that the new government is honorably represented by the historic generation created by the Revolution and defined by Martí as the "New Pines", who will give continuity to the work of social justice that is being built in our country.
Finally, she reiterated her gratitude for the countless expressions of support and solidarity that the Cuban patriots living in the United States have shown to their nation in striving for the normalization of relations between the two countries and for the end of the unjust blockade imposed on our Homeland for almost six decades.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.