Ratifies Cuba will continue to strengthen and strengthen ties with Cubans living abroad.
On Sat, 10/20/2018 - 11:29
Intervention of Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, director of Consular and Cuban Affairs Resident Abroad of MINREX, during the XIII Regional Meeting of Cubans in Europe
Good morning, compatriots,
First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for allowing me to participate in this, the XIIIth Regional Meeting of Cubans in Europe, where a group of Cubans who have contributed to planting in other latitudes of the world, especially in the European continent, are gathered. the signs of our identity and our character; that have expanded our traits, language, beliefs, customs and, above all, have promoted our Culture.
In this regard, I would like to highlight the hard work of Virgilio Ponce, present today with us, who was decorated this year by the French Senate for his contribution to the relations between the two countries and their efforts to raise awareness of the true image of Cuba, in the midst of a media offensive against the Cuban Revolution and any left process in Latin America and the Caribbean. With this, the work of Virgilio is recognized, but also that of all of you and many others who have helped to build bridges of friendship and brotherhood among the peoples on both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you very much to all.
Unfortunately, last year we could not be with you in Milan. However, we had the honor and privilege of having the presence of Fernando González Llort, one of our Five Heroes. Today, we have messages from Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, another one of our Five Heroes and Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, two illustrious sons of our Homeland.
Two members of the Cuban Parliament also accompany me on this occasion; Lizette Martínez Luzardo and Raúl Torres, this last recognized singer-songwriter, who in addition to sharing the sessions of this meeting, will delight us with his memorable and thrilling songs .. Likewise, our tireless Ambassador in Belgium, Normita for all those who join us, meet with us. we want, and the collective of the embassy that directs, who along with the Organizing Committee have made a great effort in function of the success of this meeting. For all, I ask for loud applause.
As you will recall, by this date of 2017, the United States government implemented new actions aimed at rolling back bilateral ties between the two countries. For this, he suspended the consular services in Havana and expelled 17 diplomatic officers from our Embassy in Washington, using unjustifiable and politically motivated pretexts. These actions, up to this day, among other aspects, contribute to hinder the normal flow of Cuban travelers abroad and from abroad to Cuba, particularly to and from the United States, thus hindering normal communication between Cuban families.
And as our Foreign Minister pointed out in Washington last year, Cuba opens and the United States closes.
65 years have elapsed since the Moncada, 150 of the beginning of our wars for independence, in a month we will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "First dialogue of the Cuban Government with representatives of the Cuban community abroad" or "Dialogue of 78" and only two months and eleven days remain to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the triumph of our Revolution. In this context, today, here, the Cuban and Cuban, united all, we continue and will continue forward in defense of the sovereignty and independence of Cuba, with the commitment to end the unjust blockade imposed by the United States. against our people.
"We count on you. We are Cuba "was the message with which President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez concluded his speech addressed to more than 150 Cubans residing in the US, who, like you, make a decisive contribution in favor of the struggles and interests that defends our Nation.
This commitment and activism has also been reflected in the work carried out by the 164 associations of Cubans living in 79 countries, who support Cuba in its main international demands.
It would be impossible in this context not to highlight the relevance of the Dialogue of 78, which endorsed the support and commitment of the Cuban government to the development of contacts between the Nation and the Emigration, under the presence and decisive guidance of the Historical Leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, initiator of a process that was invariably continued by Army General Raul Castro Ruz.
Allow me to reaffirm that the strengthening of the links between the Cuban nation and its nationals abroad is continuous and irreversible.
In this direction, a relevant and unprecedented step is the fact of the participation of all Cubans abroad, regardless of where they are located, in the debate on the new Constitution Project that Cubans want to give us for the present and the future of the Homeland.
To date, Cubans living in 121 countries around the world have participated in this popular consultation, which confirms the democratic and unique character of it.
This is also a reflection of the current moment of our history, characterized, among other aspects, by growing and diverse links between Cubans living abroad and their country of origin, all of which is reflected in dissimilar projects in Cuba, be of collaboration, cultural, sports, scientific-technical exchanges, among others.
The data and facts show that during the last years there has been a sustained increase in the trips of Cubans living in Cuba to different countries; in the same way that the Homeland receives, in significant and increasing proportions, Cubans who reside in other territories.
Those who have been able to accompany us during this process, will remember the changes that have been made in the updating of our migration policy and, within them, the most profound changes implemented on January 14, 2013, the date on which they were released. set of migratory measures that work with total normality and have had great acceptance, inside and outside our country.
More than 5 years after its application, the increase in departures from the country with current passports continues, during which 2 million 674 thousand 676 trips were made by our nationals.
In parallel, there is a sustained increase in the number of Cubans living abroad. From January 14, 2013 to January 14, 2018, 2 million 080 thousand 043 entries were registered.
Likewise, the application for permanent residence in the national territory of Cuban emigrants (resettled) is maintained in a sustained manner, registering 40 thousand 603 since the update of the migration policy in 2013.
In summary, Cubans are traveling more and more, and we are not mass emigrating.
Compatriots:
On October 31, the UN General Assembly will vote for the twenty-seventh consecutive year on a draft resolution calling for the end of the US blockade against Cuba.
Cuba will maintain its just claim before all possible forums, including national and regional meetings of Cubans living abroad, as long as this unjust policy persists.
Before the desperate maneuvers of the enemies of the Revolution, internal and external, who pretend to ignore, in an Olympic and inexplicable way, the unquestionable achievements of our country during the last 60 years in the matter of human rights, the response of Cubans living in Europe it has not been made wait, through meetings with MEPs, recently held, to whom an objective version of the Cuban reality has been transferred and of the feelings of the Cubans who live far from their country but who, not even for a single second, They hesitate to defend the sovereignty and independence of Cuba.
I thank you for the presence in Belgium of all of you, who preserve their feelings of love for the Homeland.
The total success of this event will depend on the quality of the debate and interventions, the content of the documents that are approved and, especially, the actions that you are capable of undertaking from each place where you reside.
I reiterate my warmest welcome and I reaffirm the will of our government to continue strengthening and strengthening ties with Cubans living abroad.
Thank you.
(Cubaminrex / Nation and Emigration)