Report of the Secretary-General about the USA blockade against Cuba

[Start1] 

Eighty-first session

Item 36 of the provisional agenda*

Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba

                 Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba

                     Report of the Secretary-General

Contents

           I.   Introduction

1.       In its resolution 80/4, entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to prepare, in consultation with the appropriate organs and agencies of the United Nations system, a report on the implementation of the resolution in the light of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and to submit the report to the Assembly at its eighty-first session.

2.       Pursuant to that request, in correspondence dated 23 December 2025, the Secretary-General invited Governments to provide information on the implementation of the resolution. A similar invitation was sent to United Nations organs and agencies in correspondence dated 23 December 2025.

3.       The present report reproduces the replies from Governments and organs and agencies of the United Nations system, as well as from entities and organizations that have received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly, to the request of the Secretary-General for information on the matter.

          II.   Replies received from Governments

                     Algeria

[Original: French]

[18 March 2026]

           The adoption of General Assembly resolution 80/4 on 29 October 2025 reaffirms the international community’s agreement regarding the urgent need to lift the blockade unjustly imposed on Cuba for more than half a century.

           Algeria welcomes the adoption of this resolution and expresses its solidarity with the Cuban people in the face of the obstacles posed by the blockade to the economic and sociocultural development of Cuba, in particular its efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

           Algeria joins the majority of States Members of the United Nations, in particular the political groups to which it belongs (the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the African Union), in calling for a new chapter in relations between Cuba and the United States of America and in rejecting the imposition of unilateral laws and decisions as well as all unilateral coercive measures, which impede the enjoyment of human rights and the well-being and prosperity of peoples.

           In line with the principles that guide its foreign policy, Algeria has always reaffirmed its commitment to the rules of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the goals of developing friendly relations among States, achieving international cooperation and respecting the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and freedom of international trade and navigation.

                     Andorra

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Government of the Principality of Andorra has never adopted or implemented any laws or measures of the type referred to in the preamble to resolution 80/4. In this regard, the Government of Andorra, which has always voted in favour of the above-mentioned resolution, reaffirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

                     Angola

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Angola and the Government of the Republic of Cuba share historical ties, long‑standing friendship and excellent diplomatic, economic and commercial relations.

           The Government of Angola reiterates its firm opposition to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, as well as to the extraterritorial application of discriminatory domestic trade laws.

           Angola notes with concern that, notwithstanding repeated calls by the international community, unilateral coercive measures against Cuba remain in force and continue to be strengthened in certain areas, aggravating the already severe socioeconomic situation on the island.

           The Government of Angola condemns the embargo and has continuously contributed to the debate against it, advocating for the lifting of these measures for many years. The rejection of the years-long embargo inflicted on Cuba enjoys overwhelming support in international forums, particularly within the United Nations General Assembly, which has repeatedly adopted, by a very large majority, the resolution entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

           The Government of Angola considers the sanctions to be unjust and unfounded, pointing out that they come at a significant cost to the Cuban people. The embargo has severely hindered Cuba’s imports, exports, financial transactions, foreign investment, remittances and tourism, and has exacerbated a grave economic and social crisis marked by shortages of food, fuel, medicines and other basic goods, rising inflation and recurrent power outages. These measures negatively affect the trajectory of sustainable development across the board and impact the standard of living of Cuban citizens, in violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

           The extraterritorial application of the embargo has substantial negative repercussions, as it deprives third countries of business opportunities with Cuba and complicates international mergers and partnerships involving firms subject to United States jurisdiction, in particular through the continued application of legislation such as the Helms‑Burton Act.

           The designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism continues to have serious humanitarian and financial consequences, further restricting access to credit lines, correspondent banking, insurance and payment channels, and thereby limiting Cuba’s ability to import essential items, including pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Angola reiterates its call for the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism.

           The Government of Angola believes that ending the unilateral embargo, together with the removal of Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism, would allow Cuba to re‑enter international financial and trade systems on a more normal footing, help stabilize and revitalize its economy, and create more favourable conditions for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, for the benefit of its people.

           The Government of Angola therefore calls for: (a) the United States to end, as soon as possible, its unilateral embargo against Cuba; (b) the removal of Cuba from the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism; and (c) the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba, including through the expansion of dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non‑interference in internal affairs.

                     Antigua and Barbuda

[Original: English]

[4 May 2026]

           The Government of Antigua and Barbuda remains fully committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           Antigua and Barbuda expresses its concern at the continued promulgation of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba by the United States of America, despite the overwhelming support of Member States for General Assembly resolution 80/4, previous resolutions against the embargo and other relevant international treaties.

           In accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 80/4, Antigua and Barbuda continues to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to the aforementioned resolution, in conformity with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which, inter alia, reaffirms the freedom of trade and navigation.

           Antigua and Barbuda has staunchly advocated in various international forums the ending of the embargo and its consequential inhumane impact on the population of Cuba. The unilateral imposition of economic pressure on Cuba prevents the development of the Cuban economy and creates a serious obstacle to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States: A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity.

           Antigua and Barbuda recalls and affirms the position of regional and interregional bodies, such as the Caribbean Community, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

           Antigua and Barbuda therefore calls upon the United States to put an end to its embargo against Cuba. Ending the embargo will significantly contribute to regional development and the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the Caribbean and Americas.

           Antigua and Barbuda therefore wishes to reaffirm its unwavering friendship, cooperation and solidarity with Cuba, and has voted in favour of the resolution on the necessity of ending the embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba since its introduction in the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session, in 1991. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will continue to vote in favour of the resolution until the embargo is repealed.

                     Armenia

[Original: English]

[27 January 2026]

           The national legislation of Armenia does not promulgate or apply any laws or regulations which, under General Assembly resolution 80/4, can have a devastating effect on the economic and social development of Cuba. The Government of the Republic of Armenia is committed to opening the borders and achieving full normalization with its neighbouring countries, Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

           Being a landlocked developing country whose structural vulnerabilities have been drastically exacerbated by the land blockade, Armenia is a staunch advocate of equitable and inclusive transport connectivity and regional trade cooperation to ensure full realization of economic and social rights, including the right to development of all peoples. The Government of Armenia has introduced the Crossroads of Peace initiative, endorsed by numerous organizations and Member States, which is aimed at unblocking regional communications on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity and national jurisdiction of the States. Recently, significant progress has been achieved with Azerbaijan in opening and promoting transport connectivity. Implementation of the commitments can transform the region into an efficient and secure transit and logistics hub, promoting trade and economic prosperity.

                     Australia

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Australia supports open trade and investment. Australia reiterates that its vote on General Assembly resolution 80/4 did not reflect an endorsement of the policies of Cuba, including widespread reports of failures to comply with international human rights standards, expropriation of property and misinformation and disinformation. Australia remains concerned by the human rights situation in Cuba, which has continued to deteriorate following the Cuban Government’s heavy-handed response to peaceful protests in 2021 and ongoing restrictions on the freedom of expression and association affecting everyday Cubans. We again urge the Cuban Government to respect the rights of all its population and call for the release of all political prisoners and those who are arbitrarily detained.

                     Azerbaijan

[Original: English]

[3 March 2026]

           The Republic of Azerbaijan firmly upholds the norms and principles of international law in its foreign policy.

           Azerbaijan enjoys friendly diplomatic, economic and trade relations with the Republic of Cuba. Azerbaijan has not promulgated or applied laws or measures against Cuba that would prohibit economic, trade or financial bilateral relations. Azerbaijan will continue to undertake appropriate measures to strengthen cooperation and develop friendly relations with Cuba.

                     Bahamas (The)

[Original: English]

[9 March 2026]

           The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has enjoyed normal diplomatic and trade relations with the Republic of Cuba since 1974.

           The Bahamas has not promulgated or applied laws or measures against Cuba that would prohibit economic, commercial or financial relations between The Bahamas and Cuba.

           The Bahamas reaffirms its commitment and adherence to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and, in particular, the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs, and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           The Bahamas recalls and further reaffirms the position of regional and interregional bodies, including the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, when they called for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

           The Bahamas remains hopeful for a process towards normal bilateral relations between the Governments of the United States and Cuba.

                     Bahrain

[Original: Arabic]

[27 January 2026]

           The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to support the resolutions of the General Assembly on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on Cuba, in keeping with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which are based on respect for State sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and the strengthening of friendly relations among States. The Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its solidarity with the friendly people of Cuba and their right to enjoy fair opportunities for development, prosperity and sustainable development on an equal footing with the other peoples of the world. It supports General Assembly resolution 80/4, adopted on 29 October 2025.

                     Bangladesh

[Original: English]

[24 February 2026]

           The Government of Bangladesh has neither promulgated nor applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4. Bangladesh has consistently supported previous resolutions on this item in the Assembly and voted in favour of the resolution.

                     Barbados

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Government of Barbados remains fully committed to the Charter of the United Nations and to international law, in particular the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and freedom of international trade and navigation of all Member States. The Government of Barbados has not promulgated any legislation or measure that would infringe on the sovereignty of any State or its lawful national interests.

           The Government of Barbados notes that the commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba imposed for decades by the United States of America is contrary to those principles and norms and is counterproductive in trade relations.

           The Government of Barbados has consistently advocated in various international forums for the ending of the embargo and its resultant inhumane consequences. Barbados has voted in favour of the resolution on the necessity of ending the embargo since it was first introduced in the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session.

           The Government of Barbados acknowledges with deep appreciation that, despite the blockade, Cuba has provided support to Barbados, including, under a contract agreement, medical personnel to combat the coronavirus disease pandemic. Cuba’s support to Barbados has been mirrored by support to countries across the Caribbean.

           In keeping with the unwavering support of Barbados for Cuba, the country organized two humanitarian donations consisting of 50,000 kg and 75,000 kg of milk powder, which were completed by July 2025. This initiative was an effort by the Government of Barbados to support Cuban families and children facing economic challenges.

           The Government of Barbados reiterates its strong support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 and reaffirms its full implementation at the national level, since Barbados has no laws that in any way restrict freedom of trade and navigation with Cuba. The Government of Barbados considers that free and unfettered relations with Cuba and all countries, including the United States, would be greatly helped by ending the embargo. Whatever political or ideological differences that may exist between the United States and Cuba do not, cannot and should not justify the actions that result in such great, grave and disproportionate consequences for the Cuban people. Barbados calls for effective dialogue and constructive engagement between the two relevant parties towards lifting the embargo.

                     Belarus

[Original: Russian]

[6 February 2026]

           The imposition of unilateral coercive measures against sovereign States Members of the United Nations is unacceptable. This constitutes a direct violation of the rules and principles of international law, undermining the multilateral system and the foundations of civilized relations among nations.

           The ongoing trade, financial and economic blockade of Cuba by the United States of America is a telling example of this harmful practice. Such actions have only one goal: to exert pressure on an independent State in order to force it to change its domestic political system, abandon its established foundations of governance and undermine the traditional pillars of society. We reject the use of sanctions as a tool in international relations.

           The unilateral coercive measures against Havana hinder the implementation socioeconomic transformation, damage the Cuban economy and diminish the country’s ability to expand trade and inter-bank cooperation and to consolidate the private sector. This hinders the full participation of Havana in global financial and economic processes, and thus impedes the country’s sustainable development.

           The consequences of the economic blockade of Cuba are having a devastating impact on the country’s citizens. It is the people – the residents of Cuba – who are the main victims of the ongoing restrictive measures against Havana. Sanctions constitute a direct violation of the rights of Cuban citizens.

           Actions aimed at adding Cuba to Washington’s list of State sponsors of terrorism also constitute a blatant disregard for the principle of good faith.

           The Republic of Belarus has always advocated – and will continue to advocate – that every State has the right to determine its own development model. Economic and political coercion as a means of exerting pressure on sovereign countries has no place in the modern conception of civilized international relations.

           We sincerely hope for the resumption of constructive bilateral dialogue between the two countries, based on the principles of mutual respect and the peaceful resolution of differences.

           We call for a complete, unconditional and irreversible end to the economic, financial and trade blockade against Cuba by the United States of America.

                     Belize

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Belize reaffirms its absolute commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including, in particular, the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation, which also form fundamental principles of international law.

           Accordingly, Belize has consistently supported the resolutions denouncing the embargo against Cuba. Belize rejects the extraterritorial application of laws and measures. Belize also rejects the inclusion of Cuba in the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism.

           The disregard of the annually adopted resolutions on this matter, which have enjoyed the overwhelming support of States Members of the United Nations, is a flagrant affront to multilateralism and the political will of the international community.

           Belize and Cuba have maintained a constructive and mutually beneficial partnership that has yielded concrete benefits for all our peoples. Our policy of engagement is further enhanced through regional cooperation between the Caribbean Community and Cuba.

                     Benin

[Original: French]

[5 May 2026]

           The Republic of Benin reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the promotion of an open, equitable and rules-based international trading system.

           In that regard, Benin reiterates its opposition to unilateral coercive measures of an extraterritorial nature, whose effects are likely to hinder the economic and social development of the affected populations and undermine the principles of multilateralism.

           In the context of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4, Benin has joined diplomatic initiatives and collective statements aimed at promoting respect for international law and the rejection of unilateral coercive measures.

           Benin remains convinced that dialogue, international cooperation and strict adherence to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations are the appropriate means to promote peace, sustainable development and harmonious international relations.

           Benin calls for the definitive normalization of relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America, considering that such a development would foster regional stability and an environment more conducive to economic and social development.

                     Bhutan

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Royal Government of Bhutan has neither promulgated nor applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4 and has consistently supported similar resolutions in the General Assembly and voted in their favour.

                     Botswana

[Original: English]

[9 February 2026]

           The Republic of Botswana has not promulgated, applied or enforced any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Botswana’s unwavering solidarity with Cuba is reflected by our consistent vote in favour of the resolution, which has near-universal support in the General Assembly.

           Botswana supports the immediate lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which gravely threatens the livelihood of the people of Cuba, and is opposed to the continued application of these extraterritorial measures. Botswana calls for the immediate removal of Cuba from the unilateral list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism.

           Despite the maintenance of these measures and their devastating impact, Cuba has made strides in various socioeconomic sectors and is committed to the promotion of South-South cooperation in these areas. It is Botswana’s conviction that the elimination of the blockade will propel Cuba’s full economic potential.

                     Brazil

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           Brazil expresses particular concern over the increased humanitarian difficulties that have been faced by Cuba, in consequence of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States – notably greater restrictions affecting financial remittances and the procurement of essential goods, especially medicines and fuel. The embargo has seriously hindered Cuba’s development and further imposed serious negative consequences on the human rights and the prosperity of its people.

           The unjust and unjustifiable inclusion of Cuba in the United States’ list of State sponsors of terrorism has aggravated the impact of the embargo.

           The rejection of the embargo against Cuba has been historically expressed as an international consensus, as evidenced by the overwhelming support for the annual General Assembly resolution on the subject.

           Brazil maintains its firm opposition to the extraterritorial application of domestic laws, including trade laws.

           Brazil reiterates its long-standing position that unilateral sanctions are not consistent with international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations. Such unlawful measures violate the sovereign equality of States and the duty of non‑intervention in internal affairs. They hamper the predictability and stability of international relations, contribute to the erosion of the system of collective security envisioned by the Charter and have a disruptive effect on the world economy, international trade and sustainable development.

           The end of the embargo would be a critical step towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, for which Brazil has long advocated.

                     Brunei Darussalam

[Original: English]

[11 March 2026]

           Brunei Darussalam reaffirms its commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

           Brunei Darussalam therefore opposes the use of unilateral sanctions, as it contravenes international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

           In line with this consistent and principled opposition to the use of unilateral sanctions, and in view of the adverse effects of such sanctions on the economic and social development of affected countries, Brunei Darussalam reiterates its support for all General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba, including resolution 80/4.

                     Burkina Faso

[Original: French]

[4 February 2026]

           Burkina Faso is committed to peace and justice and fully adheres to the principle of the sovereign equality of States, as set out in the Charter of the United Nations. It has always rejected any form of unilateralism that undermines international law.

           Committed to the virtues of dialogue, which it has consistently upheld as the sole means of the peaceful settlement of disputes between States, Burkina Faso has always worked to strengthen the cooperative relations that unite it with other peoples of the world, in particular with the people of Cuba.

           In a globalized world characterized by economic and financial crises, the continued isolation of a State inevitably leads to its suffocation. This undermines the fulfilment of our commitments to such goals as promoting “social development that leaves no one behind” and “building bridges, not walls”, which are aimed at ensuring the well-being of peoples and reconciling differences. Burkina Faso renews its call for the lifting of the blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States.

           It strongly urges the two parties to give priority to dialogue in achieving the peaceful settlement of their dispute, in accordance with Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.

           In compliance with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which enshrine freedom of trade and navigation, Burkina Faso has neither adopted nor applied laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

                     Burundi

[Original: French]

[13 January 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Burundi has consistently expressed its firm opposition to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against the Republic of Cuba. It considers the embargo to be contrary to the principles of international law and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as to the fundamental norms and principles governing peaceful and friendly relations among States.

           The embargo constitutes an obstacle to the economic and social development of the Cuban people and hampers efforts to promote international cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism.

           Burundi has never applied the embargo and reaffirms that it does not intend to apply it in the future.

                     Cabo Verde

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           The Republic of Cabo Verde, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the national Constitution and in conformity with the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, which promotes solidarity, cooperation and friendly relations among countries and nations, has never promulgated or applied any law or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to General Assembly resolution 80/4.

                     Cambodia

[Original: English]

[30 March 2026]

           Cambodia reiterates its consistent support for General Assembly resolution 80/4, which reflects a clear and unified call by the international community for the end of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. This near-universal support underscores the shared conviction that unilateral coercive measures are contrary to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

           The prolonged imposition of the unilateral sanctions has exacerbated existing inequalities, weakened development prospects and further restricted Cuba’s access to international markets, financial systems, economic and social development and essential technologies. Their impact extends across critical sectors, including healthcare, food security, energy and infrastructure, placing disproportionate burdens on ordinary citizens and constraining the country’s ability to achieve sustainable development.

           Cambodia reaffirms its firm commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the freedom of international trade and navigation. In this spirit, Cambodia stands in solidarity with the international community in calling on the United States to respect General Assembly resolutions and lift the embargo on Cuba, allowing the country to fully realize its potential for the benefit of its people and the wider global community.

                     Cameroon

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           Cameroon is committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international legal instruments, notably the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, and freedom of trade and navigation.

           Pursuant to the provisions of resolution 80/4, as well as those of previous resolutions on the matter, and in accordance with the purposes and principles recalled earlier, Cameroon has never adopted any legislative or other measures aimed at strengthening or extending the embargo on Cuba, nor does it have any intention of doing so.

           Cameroon maintains excellent relations of friendship and cooperation with Cuba and has consistently voted in favour of lifting this embargo.

                     Canada

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           Canada is concerned by the negative impact of the embargo on the living conditions of the Cuban people, as well as on Canadians conducting legitimate trade with and investment in Cuba. Canada is also concerned about the disregard by the Cuban Government for the political and economic rights of the Cuban people, including the ongoing detention of political prisoners. Canada considers the extraterritorial application of unilateral Cuba-related measures to be contrary to international law.

                     Central African Republic

[Original: French]

[21 April 2026)

           The Central African Republic, together with the overwhelming majority of States Members of the United Nations, has maintained a consistent position regarding the complete lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba by the United States of America for more than 60 years.

           The blockade, which has caused incalculable harm to the Government and people of Cuba, is contrary to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including freedom of trade and international navigation.

           The Government of the Central African Republic continues to support the Cuban Government in its efforts to have the embargo lifted completely.

                     Chad

[Original: French]

[25 March 2026]

           Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Government of the Republic of Chad reaffirms its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on Cuba.

           While reiterating the calls of Member States and international organizations, including the African Union, for the complete lifting of the embargo, the Government of Chad, referring also to paragraph 30 of General Assembly resolution 70/1 on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, calls upon States to avoid adopting or applying unilateral economic, financial or commercial measures that are inconsistent with international law or the Charter of the United Nations and that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, especially in developing countries.

           The Government of Chad urges the Governments of the United States and Cuba to renew talks to promote development that will mutually benefit the people of the two countries and the world as a whole.

                     Chile

[Original: Spanish]

[6 March 2026]

           Chile has not adopted any measures aimed at restricting trade and economic relations between Chile and Cuba.

           Chile supports the full and free exercise of the right to trade and to establish business relations in the international arena, with no restrictions other than those placed on activities considered illegal under Chilean law and those imposed by the international community in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

                     China

[Original: Chinese]

[23 March 2026]

           For 33 consecutive years, the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted, by an overwhelming majority, resolutions entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, urging all countries to comply with the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law and to repeal or invalidate any laws or measures with extraterritorial effects that encroach upon the sovereignty of other States, the legitimate interests of entities and individuals within their jurisdiction and the freedom of trade and navigation. The adoption of these resolutions reflects the firm support of the international community for the Cuban people’s just struggle to safeguard their national sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade. It demonstrates that the United States’ pursuit of unilateralism and its bullying practices, which seriously contravene the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, have been met with widespread condemnation and resolute opposition from the international community.

           Regrettably, over the years, there has been no effective implementation of the resolutions. The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba has yet to be lifted; it has even been further intensified. In early 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that Cuba poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and announcing the imposition of additional tariffs on countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba, in an attempt to completely cut off Cuba’s oil supply and stifle its economy. According to Cuban statistics, the embargo imposed by the United States has, over more than 60 years, caused accumulated losses to Cuba exceeding $160 billion, affecting virtually all areas related to people’s livelihood, including food, medicine, fuel and energy. The relevant practices of the United States seriously contravene the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations as well as relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. They have inflicted enormous economic and financial losses on Cuba, hindered the Cuban people’s efforts to eradicate poverty, promote economic and social development and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, severely undermined the Cuban people’s rights to subsistence and development, and disrupted normal economic, commercial and financial exchanges between Cuba and other countries.

           China has consistently upheld the right of all countries to independently choose their own social system and path of development, and opposed the imposition of military, political, economic or any other means of unilateral sanction against other countries. Since 1992, China has, for 33 consecutive years, voted in favour of General Assembly resolutions against U.S. embargo on Cuba. China will stand firmly on the side of international fairness and justice and continue to resolutely support the Cuban people in opposing external interference and blockade and in safeguarding their national sovereignty and dignity. China firmly opposes any acts and inhumane practices that deprive the Cuban people of their rights to subsistence and development. China urges the United States to fully lift its blockade against Cuba at an early date and to develop normal inter-State relations with Cuba in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations. This is in line with the shared interests of the United States and Cuba and of the people of both countries and will be beneficial to the stability and development of the entire region.

                     Colombia

[Original: Spanish]

[3 February 2026]

           In accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Government of the Republic of Colombia has not promulgated or applied any laws or unilateral measures against Cuba.

           Colombia is acting in accordance with its policy of respect for international law and adherence to the principles of political independence, self-determination and non‑interference in the internal affairs of other nations.

           Colombia promotes the independent development of the internal policies of each nation and considers that it would be appropriate for all types of measures that threaten economic development, the development of trade and the well-being of populations to cease.

           Colombia rejects the classification of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, a classification that has been used to disregard that country’s commitment to peace in Colombia and the world, and that also has negative impacts on the people of Cuba, compounding and exacerbating the unilateral sanctions already imposed under the blockade.

           Colombia considers it essential for Member States to make progress in building cooperative and friendly relations based on the promotion and protection of human rights and democracy, respect for the sovereignty and autonomy of peoples, peaceful coexistence, good neighbourliness, multilateralism, and respect for the principle of sovereign equality and the other provisions enshrined in Chapter I of the Charter of the United Nations.

                     Comoros

[Original: French]

[16 March 2026]

           The Union of the Comoros notes that, in recent years, the economic blockade imposed on Cuba has intensified, causing even greater harm in view of the regional context, which is currently extremely tense and, more than ever, is severely undermining the living conditions of the Cuban people and gravely increasing their vulnerability.

           The decision to reinclude Cuba on the list of alleged State sponsors of terrorism, the revocation of the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and the re‑establishment of the list of restricted Cuban entities are all barriers to the development of Cuba.

           The Comoros commends the resilience of the Cuban people, who, despite decades of adversity, remain committed to the principles of justice, sovereignty and self-determination. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to respecting the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and all other relevant international legal instruments.

           Furthermore, in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of General Assembly resolution 80/4, the Comoros, as a peaceful nation, has neither adopted nor applied any law or measure with extraterritorial effect that infringes upon the sovereignty of other States or the freedom of trade or navigation.

           In its efforts to have the blockade lifted, Cuba has traditionally enjoyed the support of the vast majority of the international community and of the Comoros, which once again urges that immediate and effective measures be taken to put an end to the economic blockade.

                     Congo

[Original: French]

[27 March 2026]

           The Republic of the Congo reaffirms its position regarding the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States of America and reiterates its commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

           It reiterates its deep friendship and solidarity with the Cuban people, who are the victims of an unfair punishment contrary to the rules of international law and all other relevant international legal instruments.

           The Congo advocates the lifting of the unilateral measures imposed on Cuba. The suffering endured by the innocent Cuban population prevents the country from pursuing socioeconomic development and fully participating in international trade.

           The Congo rejects the inclusion of Cuba on the list of State sponsors of terrorism and opposes the extraterritorial application of laws and measures of the United States against that State, as that seriously infringes upon the sovereignty of Cuba, impedes its economic freedom and violates the rights and liberties of the courageous Cuban people.

                     Côte d’Ivoire

[Original: French]

[10 March 2026]

           The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of States and freedom of trade and navigation, which are fundamental principles of international law.

           Côte d’Ivoire has never promulgated or applied any law or measure of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4, and it has no intention of doing so.

           True to the ideals of peace and dialogue in relations between States, Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its readiness to work with the entire international community to find appropriate solutions to this issue and encourages the parties concerned to focus more on negotiation and dialogue in order to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of the dispute.

                     Cuba

[Original: Spanish]

[10 July 2026]

                            The blockade in figures

           Eight minutes of the blockade represents the annual cost of funding special education for children and youth with hearing impairments ($129,500).

           Thirteen minutes of the blockade are equivalent to the cost of the resources needed by children with visual impairments in Cuba ($203,970).

           Seventeen minutes of the blockade are equivalent to the cost of purchasing enough of the medicine nusinersen to treat spinal atrophy in children for one year ($250,000).

           Forty-six minutes of the blockade represents the cost of importing parts from more distant markets for the repair or replacement of water pumping equipment ($714,400).

           Three hours of the blockade are equivalent to the funding needed for 109 couples to undergo infertility treatment abroad ($2.9 million).

           Three days of the blockade are equivalent to the funding needed for the technological modernization of the Cuban banking system ($65 million)

           Four days of the blockade are equivalent to the cost of importing all the fuel needed to meet the country’s economic demand ($78.5 million)

                    I.     Introduction

           The present document is the contribution of Cuba to the report requested of the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to General Assembly resolution 80/4, entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” which was adopted by an overwhelming majority in the Assembly on 29 October 2025.

           The total amount of losses incurred by Cuba as a result of the blockade during the period from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026 was a record high of $8.0833 billion, a 7 per cent increase over the already very high figure reported in the previous report. Section VI of the present report details the impact on various sectors of Cuban society.

           The cumulative losses incurred over the years of the blockade amount to $178,700,500,000 at current prices, 4.7 per cent higher than the figure reported in the previous report. Taking into account the sharp rise in the price of gold relative to the dollar, this amounts to a cumulative total of $3,896,505,000,000.

           In the absence of the blockade, the country’s gross domestic product at current prices in 2025 would have been 10.8 per cent higher than the estimated figure for that year.

           The enormous financial scale of these losses comes as no surprise, since United States President Donald Trump himself said on 8 January 2026, when referring to his Administration’s policy towards Cuba: “I don’t think much more pressure can be applied other than go in and destroy the place.”

           After more than 60 years of strict enforcement, the purpose of the blockade remains the same: to destroy the Cuban Revolution. To this end, shortages are being encouraged, the social and productive fabric of Cuba is being undermined and attempts are being made to isolate the country, in the hope that Cubans will give up their efforts to determine their own destiny.

           No statement could more eloquently articulate the purpose of the blockade than what was expressed in the memorandum of the then Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Lester Mallory, dated 6 April 1960: “Every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba … a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation, and overthrow of government.”

           Over the past year, the Government of the United States has stepped up its efforts to stifle and completely isolate the Cuban Revolution. To that end, the imposition of an energy blockade on Cuba and a comprehensive system of secondary sanctions against any entity in third countries that maintains investments or commercial ties with Cuban entities have been implemented as tools to exert maximum pressure.

           This is compounded by the disastrous effects of Cuba’s unjustifiable inclusion in the State Department’s unilateral, arbitrary and fraudulent list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism, as well as the aggressive financial persecution and strict enforcement of the laws codifying the blockade, primarily the Helms-Burton Act.

           Another factor in the escalating aggression of the United States has been its dangerous and irresponsible use of increasingly threatening rhetoric against Cuba’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the first half of 2026, senior United States government officials have consistently made statements calling for the use of force to remove Cuba’s political and economic system. The violation of Cuba’s right to self-determination and the interference in its internal affairs have been evident.

           Such statements are part of the psychological warfare campaign being waged against Cubans, with the aim of adding to the distress and anxiety in our people’s daily lives and provoking social unrest.

           Due to the unprecedented tightening of the blockade to extreme levels and the multidimensional aggression by the Government of the United States against Cuba, which is intensifying in a sustained and deliberate manner, the Cuban people have suffered a deterioration in their quality of life and incalculable humanitarian harm. An almost total shortage of fuel, prolonged and distressing power outages, widespread disruptions to the national power grid, recurring failures in the water supply, major difficulties with solid waste collection and shortages of food and medicine have been the defining features of daily life for Cubans since early 2026. Each of these issues has the blockade as its root cause.

                  II.     The energy blockade as a form of collective punishment against the Cuban people

           On 29 January 2026, the United States blockade was tightened in an unprecedented manner with the formalization of an energy blockade against Cuba. On that date, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 14380 authorizing the imposition of additional tariffs on imports from any country that sold or supplied oil to Cuba, either directly or indirectly.

           This measure was presented under the absurd and ridiculous justification of considering Cuba to be “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

           It is worth noting that weeks after this Executive Order was signed, a United States Supreme Court ruling determined that there was no legal basis for the President of the United States to impose tariffs without the authorization of Congress. This led to the elimination of all tariffs imposed by President Trump on various countries. However, with regard to Cuba, the constant threat of the use of force – such as the interception of oil tankers – as well as the fear instilled by the possible use of other coercive measures, have led to a near-total blockade of its fuel supplies.

           Due to these pressures, in the first half of 2026 only one tanker from the Russian Federation reached the Cuban coast in the form of humanitarian assistance. While its cargo of 100,000 metric tons of crude oil provided relief and was a strong show of solidarity, it represented only a small fraction of Cuba’s energy needs. In fact, as of the end of May 2026, there were 2,667,800 metric tons less fuel available in the country than planned.

           The President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, has publicly noted that many communities across the country have gone without electricity for more than 30 consecutive hours due to this situation. Obviously, this has caused irritability, discontent, hardship and great distress among the population, which is consistent with the objectives set forth in 1960 in Lester D. Mallory’s memorandum.

           An assessment of Cuba’s power system as of the end of May 2026 shows that there are approximately 1,400 MW of available capacity that is not generating electricity due to a lack of fuel. More specifically, diesel-powered generation accounted for 18.5 per cent, resulting in a shortfall of 338.3 GWh in electricity generated by this technology. Similarly, due to issues with the fuel cell technology, only 14.5 per cent of the projected output was generated, resulting in a shortfall of 644.5 GWh.

           As a result of the energy blockade, Cuba’s electricity shortage has increased exponentially in 2026. In the energy sector, only 54.6 per cent of an electricity plan that was already running a deficit has been met. In the residential sector, the plan is 83 per cent complete, representing an average of more than 20 hours of power outages nationwide.

           The implementation of the energy blockade represents an escalation of the policy of targeting fuel supplies to Cuba, which began in July 2019 and included the illegal interception by United States forces of oil shipments from Venezuela beginning in late 2025.

           As a result of the United States strategy to cripple the national power grid, thermal power generation in 2025 totalled 7,789 GWh, representing a decrease of 1,046.6 GWh compared to 2024, when power generation using these technologies reached 8,836 GWh.

           According to reports from the State-owned company Unión Eléctrica, restrictions imposed on Cuba prevented the country from carrying out partial, extended and major maintenance on its thermal power plants, with the result that 11 of the 15 existing units remain outside the major maintenance cycle.

           The energy blockade described above, together with other measures that drastically intensify the blockade, constitute an act of genocide – also classified as collective punishment against the Cuban population. They are a serious violation of international law and international human rights law and even qualify as a violation of international humanitarian law, even though there is no state of conventional war between the United States and Cuba.

           A statement issued on 12 February 2026 by four special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council[1] noted that this action raises serious concerns under international human rights law and that this Executive Order exacerbates the effects of the existing illegal designation of Cuba by the United States as a State sponsor of terrorism.

           On 7 May 2026, a new statement by the special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council[2] addressed the energy deprivation that the United States has imposed on Cuba since the Executive Order of 29 January and highlighted how the use of an energy blockade was incompatible with international human rights standards, given the impacts that this policy was having on multiple fronts, such as the right to education and healthcare, with a particular emphasis on Cuban children.

           The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), through its spokesperson, also acknowledged how these restrictions were jeopardizing essential services nationwide – such as health, food and water systems – due to their heavy reliance on imported fuels. OHCHR also highlighted how intensive care units, as well as the storage of blood and temperature-sensitive medications, were being compromised by the restriction on fuel procurement.

           During a press conference held by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on 26 February, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cuba stated that the energy shortage had become the main factor exacerbating humanitarian risks for the Cuban population. Similarly, the Secretary-General, through his Spokesperson, expressed concern about the growing fuel shortage in Cuba and its impact on the population.

           The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed a similar view when he stated, in reference to this measure imposed on Cuba, that health must be protected at all costs and must never be left at the mercy of geopolitics, energy blockades and power outages.

           As can be seen, all of these statements by officials of the United Nations system are consistent with the provisions of article 33 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, which establishes that collective punishment is prohibited – a situation to which the entire Cuban people are indisputably being subjected through the aforementioned energy blockade.

           Furthermore, the Executive Order of 29 January 2026 violates the sovereign rights of third States, specifically in the area of their trade relations, as it threatens them with secondary coercive measures if they supply fuel to Cuba. This is a measure with a distinctly extraterritorial nature, which confirms that the blockade against Cuba is not a bilateral issue as the United States falsely claims.

           The aforementioned Executive Order also constitutes a violation of the freedom of trade and navigation and the rules of the World Trade Organization. It is a clear and illegitimate barrier to the free trade of fuel between Cuba and its various partners or suppliers. In this way, the United States seeks to dictate to sovereign nations with whom they may or may not trade their own natural resources.

           Upon closer examination, this situation can be broken down into a series of more specific serious violations of this branch of international law. For example, there is a violation of the principle of non-discrimination, a cornerstone of the World Trade Organization. Due to the chilling effect of this Executive Order, Cuba has been effectively cut off from the global fuel supply chain, a situation that can only be described as illegal and discriminatory.

           In addition to being demonstrably illegal, the energy blockade is utterly cynical. While it pressures third countries not to sell fuel to Cuba and denies Cuban public institutions the ability to purchase fuel, the Government of the United States claims the right to allow its domestic companies to export fuel exclusively to Cuba’s non‑State sector and to embassies based on the island.

           In this way, the Government of the United States aims to prevent the fuel needed for Cuba’s national power grid, drinking water supply, health system, public transportation, communications, educational institutions, community services and all other areas of social life involving the Cuban Government from reaching Cuba.

           Consequently, on 19 June 2026, the company Aguas de La Habana had to issue a statement indicating that, due to disruptions in water supply sources resulting from the energy shortage – which in turn was caused by a lack of fuel – the intervals between water service for customers in the capital would have to be extended even further.

           There are also numerous examples that illustrate the extremely difficult situation faced by thousands of workers in the State sector, but particularly those in the non‑State sector, since the oil blockade against Cuba was imposed. Taxi drivers who stopped working due to a fuel shortage. Artisans and owners of rental properties, bars and restaurants who were left with virtually no customers as the number of international flights and, consequently, tourists, dropped to a minimum, given that Cuba has been unable to obtain jet fuel. In general, all small businesses that cannot afford to import fuel on their own have been affected; because they depend on the severely strained national energy system, they face systematic disruptions that hinder their operations.

           This not only results in economic losses for the non-State sector in all its forms. Above all, it means the anguish of seeing their means of livelihood – which they rely on to support themselves and their families – diminish. It also demonstrates the falsity of the argument traditionally put forward by the Government of the United States, namely, that its measures against Cuba affect only the Government and the State sector of the economy.

           The energy blockade imposed on Cuba has been so sweeping that it has been impossible for the major United States media outlets – or even top officials in the Government of the United States – to ignore it; on repeated occasions, they have gloated that Cuba has no oil and that, as a result, its Government is on the verge of collapse.

           One notable example is the opinion piece published on 12 May 2026, in The New York Times, authored by United States Congress members Pramila Jayapal and Jonathan L. Jackson, in which they share their impressions following their visit to Cuba in April 2026. Both members of Congress said that they were struck by the inhumane effects of the energy blockade and stated categorically that “if the American people knew the full extent of what is happening on the ground in Cuba, they would demand an end to the blockade immediately.”

           The fuel shortage that has gripped the nation has had a devastating impact on nearly every aspect of society.

           In the health sector, the harm caused by the energy blockade directly threatens patients’ lives, hence its cruel and genocidal nature. In the neonatal unit of a major obstetrics and gynaecology hospital in Cuba, the lives of the most fragile newborns depend on an unstable power supply. Dr. Niurka Moreno Obregón, head of the department, warns that every power outage forces an old generator to kick in within less than ten seconds, since many ventilators lack working batteries. If ventilation is interrupted beyond that time limit, it must be performed manually, with uncertain results.

           This instability affects incubators, scales and more than 95 per cent of the equipment, all of which depend on a power supply that is never reliable. Like 148 other hospitals across the country, this facility is suffering from an energy “stranglehold” that is even affecting the delivery rooms.

           According to Dr. Yudmila Rodríguez Verdecia, head of anaesthesia and the obstetric operating room: “In the event of a power emergency, such as a blackout, the entire unit is completely shut down. We are left in total darkness. The surgery must continue because a surgical procedure cannot be stopped. We have had to keep working by the light of our cell phones”, she said, describing a tense situation her team experienced.

           The danger is immediate and multifaceted. The neonatal incubator stops working, making it impossible to maintain the proper temperature for the newborn, who must be wrapped in blankets as a last resort. The anaesthesia machine, the heart of the operating room, shuts down completely. Although they have a supplemental oxygen device to keep the patient alive, “we are left with absolutely no monitoring capabilities.”

           Paediatric cancer patients face similar challenges. Between 300 and 400 Cuban children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year. Their lives depend on medications and specialized equipment that run on electricity.

           It is not only patients who suffer as a result of the restrictions caused by the blockade. Their families are also victims of the blockade, as they repeatedly experience the anguish and emotional toll of the uncertainty caused by these shortages.

           For nearly four years, Licet Rodríguez Alonso has been supporting her son Diego through his cancer treatment; he was diagnosed with cancer at age 15. Between Villa Clara and Havana, the family organizes its life around surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Today, Diego is undergoing radiation therapy, a process that relies on equipment that consumes a lot of electricity and fuel, which is in short supply.

           “How could I not be worried about the current situation?”, his mother wonders. “Diego is undergoing radiation therapy, but they are out of fuel; how are they going to get that equipment up and running? If they shut down the hospital, how am I going to keep getting Diego treatment?”

           Energy restrictions and resource shortages resulting from the blockade have severely impacted the operational capacity of hospitals. Currently, the waiting list for surgery in the country stands at 100,000 patients, 12,000 of whom are children. Given the current energy crisis, these figures are rising, because the national health system is forced to postpone non-urgent surgeries in order to prioritize cancer surgeries and other life-saving procedures.

           At the same time, disruptions in refrigerated transport due to a lack of fuel have made it difficult for more than 30,000 children to receive their vaccines on time, even though the vaccines are physically present in the country’s warehouses. Similarly, it has become difficult to provide care for 2,888 patients who rely on haemodialysis sessions, which require a stable power supply that is currently very difficult to guarantee.

           This dramatic situation has drawn the attention of the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who stated: “The situation in Cuba is deeply concerning as the country struggles to maintain health services at a time of immense turbulence,” emphasizing that the energy shortages “have been affecting health.”

           The WHO Director-General confirmed that Cuban hospitals have had difficulty maintaining emergency and intensive care services. He also emphasized that “Cuba’s hospitals, clinics and ambulances are needed now, more than ever, and must be supported to perform their life-saving work.”

           In line with these statements, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cuba has warned that 32,000 pregnant women are at risk due to unstable access to prenatal care.

           The Spokesperson for the Secretary-General also expressed concern for the thousands of cancer patients who need radiation therapy and chemotherapy but are unable to receive the necessary treatment due to power outages and a lack of resources.

           Further evidence of the genocidal nature of the blockade is the decline it has caused in cancer survival rates in Cuba. The number of people dying from cancer in the country has increased significantly, now exceeding 70 per day. Although the survival rates of Cubans remain higher than those in low- and middle-income countries, and even exceed WHO targets, they have declined in recent years. For children and adolescents, the survival rate has fallen from 85 per cent to 65 per cent. This trend coincides with the toughest moments of the United States blockade.

           The Director of the Crisis Response Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director of Humanitarian and Disaster Management at WHO confirmed, following their visit to Cuba in May 2026, that the fuel shortage is directly impacting public health and access to health facilities.

           In the education sector, fuel shortages have restricted the movement of students and teachers who travel across the country; they account for about 30 per cent of the student body. In addition, the smooth progress of the teaching-learning process has been affected, as have the planned supplementary activities, since the school schedule has been disrupted and the individualized attention provided to students has been reduced.

           With regard to higher education, the first semester of classes in 2026 had to be switched to a fully remote format, which affected interaction between teachers and students.

           Special needs education continues to face significant challenges, despite the efforts made by institutions in the sector to support both students and their families. For example, the “Flor de la Revolución” Special Education School, which serves 232 children with visual impairments from seven municipalities in Havana, needs reliable school transportation in order to provide the necessary care to its students.

           Power outages also affect the school day: classrooms require good lighting and when power goes out classes are moved to the playgrounds or hallways. The principal of this school warns that power outages even affect the children’s meals and rest, which in turn impacts their academic performance.

           Food production has also been severely impacted by the energy blockade. During the agricultural growing season that ended in the first few months of 2026, irrigation could only be carried out for 2 hours per day out of the 16 hours that the machines are supposed to irrigate on average, which led to a failure to meet irrigation schedules and reduced crop yields. This was essentially due to a lack of fuel.

           Meanwhile, the United Nations country team in Cuba reported that it had approximately 20,000 metric tons of food pre-positioned throughout the country, but that distribution to vulnerable communities was proceeding very slowly due to the fuel shortage.

           For similar reasons, the transportation authorities in Cuba have had to implement organizational measures to reduce the number of trips for interprovincial travel as well as freight transport and other modes of transportation.

           In the case of air transport, it has been much more difficult to find alternatives given the inability to procure the necessary fuel. In fact, just a few days after Executive Order of 29 January was announced, Cuba’s civil aviation authority had to announce that it was unable to supply Jet A-1 aviation fuel at Cuban airports.

           This has had a devastating effect on tourism in Cuba, as it has reduced the number of ways for travellers to enter the country. It should be noted that, at the end of 2025, contracts signed with international tour operators projected favourable occupancy rates for the winter season beginning in early 2026. However, the imposition of the energy blockade brought about an abrupt change in these prospects for recovery.

                 III.     Expansion of secondary sanctions as tools to strengthen the enforcement of the blockade and its extraterritorial nature

           As if the implementation of the measures described above were not punishment enough for the Cuban people, the Government of the United States decided to further increase its pressure on Cuba by issuing Executive Order 14404 on 1 May 2026, under the false pretext of responding to the slanderous and ridiculous assertion of “an unusual and extraordinary threat” from Cuba to the national security of the United States, as decreed in the Executive Order of 29 January 2026.

           The Executive Order of 1 May exacerbates the extraterritorial nature of the blockade against Cuba, as it allows for the freezing of assets and the restriction of operations of any foreign person or entity operating in sectors considered strategic to the Cuban economy, specifically naming the energy, mining, finance, security and defence sectors. It also authorizes sanctions against those who have provided financial, material, technological or logistical support to the Government or State of Cuba.

           The explicit reference to the energy and financial sectors is no coincidence; it is part of a carefully calculated strategy to reinforce the energy blockade and exacerbate the overall impact of the economic, commercial and financial blockade.

           One of the most innovative and far-reaching aspects of this Executive Order is the introduction of severe secondary sanctions against banks, financial institutions or foreign companies that facilitate transactions involving “sanctioned” individuals or entities.

           In practical terms, it increases pressure on third countries, companies and financial institutions that have ties to Cuba, and especially on those that might potentially have such ties. To this end, the Government of the United States uses the fear of losing access to the market and financial system of the United States as a key tool of subjugation. This once again exposes the extraterritorial nature of the blockade against Cuba.

           The Executive Order of 1 May also imposes immigration and entry restrictions into the United States on individuals whom the Government of the United States deems to have provided material support to Cuba. Clearly, this is another significant deterrent and intimidating factor aimed at bringing an end to third-party operations with Cuba.

           Due to similar concerns, several airlines announced the suspension of their operations to Cuba. Of particular note is the case of the operator Plus Ultra, a company contracted by the national airline Cubana de Aviación to operate the Madrid-Santiago de Cuba-Havana route, which announced the suspension of these services on 12 May, explicitly citing the need to avoid risks arising from the aforementioned Executive Order, which it described as a force majeure event beyond the company’s control.

           The renowned international shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and Compagnie maritime d’affrètement-Compagnie générale maritime (CMA-CGM) have stopped accepting new orders related to the island while they assess the potential consequences of the Executive Order of 1 May. Although there is still no estimate of the scope, duration and economic cost of this decision, there is no doubt that supply chains to Cuba will come under increased strain given the significant role these companies play in international maritime freight transport.

           In connection with the above, United Nations agencies in Cuba have reported that more than 2,900 metric tons of humanitarian food shipments that had already been contracted have been affected by disruptions in maritime services to Cuba. In addition, seven critical shipments worth $630,000 have been affected, including emergency medical kits, supplies for newborns, nutritional products for pregnant and breastfeeding women, water treatment equipment and menstrual hygiene kits.

           Executive Order 14404 has also led to the suspension of financial services that banking institutions provided to Cuba for the processing of its international transactions. It is no longer possible to make payments using Visa and Mastercard on the island, since the banks that Cuba used as correspondents declined to continue this relationship due to the risk they might face from the United States.

           Such financial isolation has been a key objective of the United States strategy to cripple the Cuban economy. The consequences of this are not limited merely to transactions that were not carried out. In reality, this means it is impossible to purchase shipments of food, raw materials for the production of medicines and machinery for Cuban industry, among other consequences, regardless of whether the funds are available.

           Furthermore, the campaign launched by United States authorities following the enactment of Executive Order 14404 has had the clear objective of destroying the Cuban hotel industry, given the importance of tourism as one of the main drivers of the country’s economy.

           In early June 2026, several major international hotel chains operating in Cuba terminated their management agreements for dozens of hotels in the country. These decisions were made out of fear of reprisals against their properties and bank accounts in the United States.

           Under the guise of the Executive Order of 1 May, the Department of State and the Treasury of the United States have launched a veritable witch-hunt against anyone who does business with or has ties to Cuba. Given the far-reaching nature of these actions, a second objective of this strategy has begun to emerge: in addition to bringing about the collapse of Cuba’s economic, political and social systems, the United States seeks to drive away any potential commercial rival in pursuit of its desired goal of taking total control of the island.

           In the case of the energy sector, to leave no doubt as to the comprehensiveness of its crackdown, on 11 June 2026 the United States imposed sanctions on the Cuban State-owned company Unión Cuba Petróleo (CUPET) under Executive Order 14404. In doing so, the Government of the United States blocked any commercial transaction involving the supply of large quantities of fuel to Cuba – such as through the use of tankers – even if the Cuban counterparties involved are privately owned, since such transactions would inevitably require the use of Unión Cuba Petróleo’s infrastructure for the safe transport, storage and preservation of large quantities of these resources.

           The implementation of these measures has led to the development of a sophisticated method of suffocating the Cuban population, one that far exceeds the pressure exerted on the country for decades. After several months of implementing these intensified coercive measures, there has been a palpable decline in the quality of life for Cubans, who were already enduring their circumstances with great stoicism due to the cumulative impact and hardships resulting from the blockade.

           No people deserves or should be subjected to such punishment simply for defending its right to self-determination.

                 IV.     Consequences resulting from the application of the Helms-Burton Act and the inclusion of Cuba in the unilateral list of State sponsors of terrorism

           The implementation of the Helms-Burton Act, particularly its Title III, as well as the financial persecution resulting from Cuba’s arbitrary inclusion in the list of State sponsors of terrorism, have been two key tools in the policy of maximum pressure against Cuba and the tightening of the blockade since 2019.

           Title III of the Helms-Burton Act allows for the filing of lawsuits in United States courts against any individual or legal entity that has engaged in activities involving properties nationalized by the Government of Cuba. This has been a major deterrent to investment and business in Cuba, given the risk that foreign partners face of being subjected to legal proceedings in United States courts.

           As of the end of March 2026, 46 Title III lawsuits had been initiated, 24 of which are ongoing. The main areas that have been affected by legal proceedings resulting from the enforcement of this law are tourism, shipping, mining, construction, fuel supply and distribution, airlines and agriculture; and, paradoxically, most of the companies that have been the target of these lawsuits are United States companies.

           On 25 November 2025, a new lawsuit was filed against the United States airline Delta by the plaintiff José Ramón López Regueiro, who claims to be the legal heir to José Martí International Airport in Havana.

           To gain a clearer understanding of the extraterritorial impact of the blockade on tourism, and even the violation of the rights of people in third countries, it is worth consulting an article published in the online news outlet The Pointer on 21 January 2026.

           This article tells the story of a Canadian family who, eager to travel to Cuba, tried to use the reward points they had accumulated on their Toronto Dominion Bank card by redeeming them for airline tickets and accommodation on the island through the Expedia platform. When they entered “Havana” into the site’s search engine, they received a message indicating that this was not an available option. The family learned that Expedia Group had blocked bookings to Cuba, even for non-United States customers, citing legal risks stemming from the United States blockade, including the application of the Helms-Burton Act.

           Likewise, the absurd and arbitrary inclusion of Cuba in the fraudulent list of so-called State sponsors of terrorism, compiled by the United States Department of State, has continued to serve as another major obstacle to the development of the Cuban nation. This measure has contributed to reinforcing the extraterritorial nature of the blockade, as it has led to greater caution and distancing on the part of international entities dealing with Cuban counterparts out of fear of reprisals by the United States.

           This spurious and unilateral designation, for which the Government of the United States has failed to produce a single piece of evidence, constitutes an instrument of aggression and deliberately ignores our country’s proven cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Everyone knows, including law enforcement agencies in the United States, that far from sponsoring terrorism, Cuba has been a victim of this scourge and has strictly complied with its international commitments in this regard.

           The economic consequences of this inclusion have been devastating. Between March 2025 and February 2026, 34 international banks suspended or refused to conduct transactions with Cuba out of fear of secondary sanctions, closing accounts or rejecting transfers intended for the purchase of food, medicine and fuel. The Cuban economy lost its traditional suppliers, who severed their business ties to avoid the risk of being sanctioned.

           In addition, this measure has led to the imposition of interest rate surcharges as a result of the country risk classification applied to Cuba. Consequently, access to financing from domestic banks and businesses continues to decline compared to previous periods, a trend reflected in the drop in domestic production and services in Cuba.

           The unfavourable position of financial institutions in processing payments, combined with the inability to access faster routes, has forced Cuba to incur high additional costs to obtain priority supplies. All of this has exacerbated the cumulative impact of the blockade and its long-term, wearing-down effect.

           Digital platforms and technology services were also affected by this designation. There were reports of payments to Cuban hosts on lodging platforms being suspended; email services to Cuban companies provided by vendors linked to United States companies were disrupted; and accounts for solidarity campaigns raising funds for donations were closed.

           Numerous Cuban diplomatic missions also faced serious difficulties with banks that had traditionally provided them with services in various regions of the world. This situation affected their operation and maintenance, including the processing of payments for consular services.

           During the period under review, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury has continued to impose fines on companies that conduct business with Cuba. Although this is a completely illegitimate course of action, since the United States has no authority to rule on matters between third parties, such actions are highly effective in severing and discouraging any kind of commercial ties with the island.

           On 2 July 2025, OFAC imposed a fine of $608,825 on Key Holding, a private global logistics company based in Delaware, for alleged violations of the sanctions regime against Cuba. OFAC determined that, between January 2022 and July 2023, Key Holding’s Colombian subsidiary – then known as Key Logistics Colombia – had handled the logistics for 36 cargo shipments from Colombia to Cuba.

           On 15 July 2025, OFAC announced the imposition of another fine – this time in the amount of $11,832,136 – to be paid by Interactive Brokers, a private global logistics company headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, for violations of its sanctions regime against Cuba. OFAC determined that between 15 July 2016 and 31 January 2024, Interactive Brokers had provided brokerage and investment services to individuals based in various countries, including Cuba.

           In turn, the arbitrary designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism has been used as a justification for denying online travel authorization to the United States – the visa issued through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – to citizens of countries eligible for this programme who have visited the island.

           The Office of the City Historian of Havana reports a notable decline in private sector investment in areas designated as priorities for restoration due to the decline in tourism, which has led to lower levels of economic activity in the city’s heritage districts.

           In contrast, the Office’s statistics show that during the final term of President Barack Obama’s Administration, private sector investment in tourism-related activities – such as lodging, dining and recreation – increased. Similarly, all of this contributed, at the time, to an exponential increase in the restoration of buildings in Havana’s historic centre.

           In general terms, the arbitrary designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism by the United States Department of State, coupled with the unprecedented tightening of the blockade, has had a negative impact on all aspects of Cuban society, with direct consequences for the quality of life and human rights of our population, as shown below:

        • Infant mortality in Cuba rose from 4 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025, representing a 148 per cent increase.

        • Of the 395 drugs that Cuba produces as part of its basic health care package, 300 are in short supply due to difficulties in accessing raw materials and pharmaceutical supplies.

        • There is an ongoing difficulty in acquiring medical technology of United States origin or technology containing more than 10 per cent of components from that country, which requires the use of intermediaries and results in a substantial increase in prices, potentially making such technology unaffordable for the Cuban economy.

        • In the case of oncology, the restriction remains in place on the purchase of a group of new drugs produced by United States pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of cancer. Among the unaffordable medications are:

           –  Pemetrexed (Lilly): for lung adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma

           –  Palbociclib (Pfizer): for hormone-sensitive metastatic breast cancer

           –  Brentuximab vedotin (Seattle Genetics): for post-transplant refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

           –  Pembrolizumab (Merck Sharp and Dohme) and Nivolumab (Bristol Myers Squibb): advanced immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma

        • In terms of gastroenterology and nephrology services, access to state-of-the-art technologies is severely limited. Gastrointestinal endoscopy towers manufactured by the Japanese company Olympus cannot be purchased because, due to payment issues and threats of sanctions, the price quoted for Cuba is 10 times higher compared with other Latin American countries and maintenance of the existing equipment is also being denied. In nephrology, companies such as Baxter Healthcare and distributors such as Vitalmex Interamericana refuse to do business with Cuba, explicitly citing the blockade.

        • When it comes to cardiology and genetics services, life-saving devices for children – such as the Heart Mate 3 and the PediMag and CentriMag blood pumps manufactured by Abbott in the United States – are not available to Cuban children. These devices help to extend the lives of infants with serious heart conditions without the need for a transplant.

        • In 2025, a study involving 140 patients was jeopardized due to a shortage of phytohemagglutinin, a reagent produced by the United States company Sigma-Aldrich, which is necessary for the laboratory test known as postnatal karyotyping – a procedure that analyses a newborn’s chromosomes to detect congenital malformations or genetic syndromes.

        • Special needs education in Cuba continues to face significant challenges, despite the efforts made by institutions in the sector to support both students and their families. Although 259 students in the country have received cochlear implants, 39 of them have broken moulds or are out of batteries.

        • For the past five school years, only 2 of the 16 audiometers in the provinces have been operational, which has impacted the auditory stimulation of 297 students enrolled in special education schools and the 803 students enrolled in mainstream settings.

        • In the case of visual impairment, there is a decline in the performance of Braille machines (Perkins). Of these, 21 are deemed beyond repair in the country. A total of 63 of these machines are needed. This shortfall affects 126 blind students, including both those attending special schools (59) and those enrolled in mainstream settings (67).

        • In the case of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, María de los Ángeles Escalona Arias, principal of the “René Vilches Rojas” Special School, reports that the tightening of the blockade is preventing the school from acquiring behind-the-ear hearing aids and cochlear implants, which are essential for her students. Of the 65 students, 22 have received implants, but recent restrictions have drastically reduced the chances of further surgeries.

        • There has been a sharp decline in the construction sector. In 2025, the domestic cement industry recorded its second-lowest physical production volume since the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. As a result, major public works projects have seen very low levels of implementation. For example, only 43 per cent of the national road programme was implemented by 2025; 58 per cent of the airport repair programme was completed; 64 per cent of the water resource programme was completed; and 53 per cent of the housing programme was completed.

        • Passenger transportation in Havana is currently provided by just over 100 buses, even though at least 3,000 are needed to provide quality service. Furthermore, only about 65 per cent of the extremely limited allocation of approximately 40,000 metric tons of fuel earmarked for passenger transportation last year was able to be used. This situation has led Cuba’s transportation authorities to conclude that the current situation in this sector is more complex than it was during the most difficult years of the so-called “special period” in the 1990s.

        • The inclusion of Cuba in the list of State sponsors of terrorism prevents Cuban artists from participating in cultural exchange programme sponsored by United States organizations. Previous collaborations with contemporary dance and physical theatre companies in New York and California have been interrupted either because it was impossible to obtain OFAC licences within a reasonable time frame, or because projects were cancelled due to the inability to make payments to Cuban artists.

        • The challenges facing investment and the procurement of essential supplies for the national agricultural sector have increased. For example, Cuba’s rice programme yielded only 1.9 metric tons per hectare of planted area in 2025. This was 2.31 metric tons per hectare lower than the 4.21 metric tons per hectare yield achieved for this crop in 2018, before the blockade was tightened.

                   V.     Increase in hostile rhetoric towards Cuba as a tool of destabilization by the Government of the United States

           In addition to the extensive list of measures taken over the past year to tighten the economic, commercial and financial blockade, the highest levels of the current United States Administration have repeatedly employed a highly threatening and confrontational narrative against Cuba.

           President Donald Trump has stated that he would have “the honour of taking Cuba”. He has also threatened the Government of Cuba to reach an agreement. The President of the United States has indicated on numerous occasions that Cuba would be next, referring to which country would be next on the White House’s agenda for forcing a change of government.

           Similarly, he publicly stated that he would station an aircraft carrier 100 yards off the Cuban coast, with the aim of intimidating Cuba and causing its political, economic and social systems to collapse. This statement was a clear example of a threat to use force and a violation of Cuba’s sovereignty, given that such a proposal implies a violation of national territorial waters by a naval force with clear offensive intentions.

           For his part, in January 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate of the United States that he “would love to see a regime change in Cuba.” In addition, during his frequent public appearances, he has denied the existence of the blockade and has sought to blame the Government of Cuba for the nation’s hardships, thereby demonstrating his dishonest and unscrupulous behaviour.

           To that end, the powers that be in the United States have orchestrated a media campaign to establish and justify, in the eyes of the American public, the idea of direct military action against Cuba. Several United States media outlets have reported on military reconnaissance flights near the Cuban coast and on the Pentagon’s efforts to update contingency plans for a possible operation against Cuba.

           In the same vein, in June 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the illegally occupied Guantanamo naval base and warned that the United States “is prepared for any eventuality” regarding Cuba.

           These statements are being made against a backdrop in which the pressure and harm being inflicted on the Cuban people as a whole are unprecedented. It is all part of the siege against Cuba – a siege that is structured, surgically designed and extremely comprehensive – and which, perhaps more clearly than at any time in decades, could be the prelude to a direct attack on Cuban territory.

           Furthermore, between March 2025 and February 2026, the Government of the United States launched a fierce campaign of slander and pressure – which continues to this day – aimed at bringing an end to Cuban medical cooperation in various countries. To this end, it has resorted to extremely petty methods, such as threatening to revoke United States visas for all officials from third countries who have participated in the signing of medical cooperation agreements with Cuba.

           Such threats went beyond mere rhetoric. On 3 June 2025, the State Department announced restrictions on visas for entry into the United States for Central American government officials and their family members, under the pretext that they had ties to Cuban medical cooperation programmes. On 13 August 2025, the Secretary of State of the United States announced similar visa restrictions on officials from several countries, as well as on former officials of the Pan American Health Organization.

           It is worth noting that the medical cooperation agreements signed between Cuban public health authorities and the public health authorities of other countries are based on the principles of legality and mutual benefit, and constitute a genuine form of South-South cooperation, in accordance with international standards.

                 VI.     Signs of opposition to the blockade and solidarity with Cuba around the world

           The blockade constitutes a flagrant, widespread and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cuban people, on an even greater scale following its recent tightening and the imposition of the oil blockade. This was confirmed by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Alena Douhan, during her official visit to Cuba from 11 to 21 November 2025.

           On 11 May 2026, the Secretary-General of the United Nations addressed the coercive measures imposed by the United States against Cuba and recalled the resolution submitted by Cuba to the General Assembly, which characterizes such sanctions as illegal and contrary to international law. He also rejected any military approach and expressed his hope that the Cuban people would not continue to suffer so terribly, in reference to the tightening of the blockade.

           More recently, in June 2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that the expansion of United States sanctions against Cuba was causing widespread harm to the population and endangering lives and he urged that such actions be halted.

           The High Commissioner noted that “the fuel restrictions imposed since early 2026 and recent tightening of extraterritorial sanctions, taken together, are directly harming Cubans, especially the most vulnerable.” He stated that “children are dying because doctors lack access to essential medical supplies and medications.” On another occasion, the High Commissioner noted that Cuba was being suffocated by United States sanctions.

           Within the United States, there has been significant support for lifting the blockade. Social movements, labour unions, community organizations, intellectuals and broad sectors of civil society launched letters, petitions and campaigns that garnered massive support. At the local and legislative levels, municipal resolutions and statements by representatives were issued that criticized the policy of suffocation and called for an approach towards Cuba based on dialogue and respect for international law. These statements show that opposition to the blockade is not merely an external condemnation, but also finds resonance among citizens and organizations within the country that imposes it.

           African nations continued to show their unwavering solidarity with Cuba. In February 2026, the Assembly of the African Union adopted, for the seventeenth consecutive time, a resolution condemning the United States blockade against Cuba. That initiative also called for Cuba to be removed from the unilateral list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, while expressing concern about the extraterritorial impact of the blockade, particularly the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.

           In Latin America and the Caribbean, opposition to the United States blockade against Cuba and solidarity with the island were expressed in a forceful and diverse manner throughout 2025 and early 2026. From the highest levels of government, with repeated statements by Presidents such as Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico), Luis Arce (Bolivia), Lula da Silva (Brazil), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Gabriel Boric (Chile), Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela), Xiomara Castro (Honduras) and Prime Ministers such as Mia Mottley (Barbados), Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), John Briceño (Belize) and Dickon Mitchell (Grenada), all the way down to legislative action expressed in parliamentary resolutions in Peru, Uruguay and Jamaica, as well as statements by interparliamentary friendship groups with Cuba in various countries such as Chile and Ecuador.

           The Asia and Oceania region also saw official statements and social mobilizations. China and Vietnam, through their highest State and government authorities, called for an end to the coercive measures and rejected Cuba’s punitive inclusion in the list of State sponsors of terrorism. In Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India and Timor-Leste, political parties, solidarity associations and labour unions launched petition drives and passed resolutions in support of Cuba.

           In Europe, the voices opposing the blockade also had a significant impact across multiple bodies. From formal appeals by the State Duma and the Federation Council of Russia to statements made within the European Parliament and widely supported motions in the United Kingdom, the message was clear: the blockade must end. Similarly, various political bodies in France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Poland, Belarus and Luxembourg issued statements or took actions highlighting the illegality and humanitarian impact of the blockade.

           All these expressions of support and solidarity were reflected in the overwhelming support received by Cuba’s most recent resolution against the embargo, submitted to the General Assembly on 29 October 2025, when 165 Member States voted in favour of lifting this archaic and criminal policy against the Cuban people. It should also be noted that during the high-level debate at the eightieth session of the General Assembly in September 2025, 43 leaders spoke out to call for an end to the blockade, which was one of the most frequently discussed issues at that time.

           In general, civil society around the world played a central and highly active role in denouncing the blockade: solidarity organizations, friendship associations, medical networks and non-governmental organizations organized campaigns to collect signatures, raise donations and carry out public actions to highlight the humanitarian impact of the blockade on Cuba. For example, a letter addressed to the President of the United States, initially signed by 515 intellectuals and artists at the urging of the Mexican Chapter of the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in Defense of Humanity, eventually garnered more than 20,000 signatures.

           Unions, guilds and political youth groups in many countries passed resolutions and organized demonstrations in front of diplomatic missions, showing that the protest against the blockade goes beyond diplomatic forums and reaches streets and cities around the world.

           The “Nuestra América” convoy was an iconic demonstration of international solidarity with Cuba; delegations made up of numerous solidarity organizations, labour unions, student groups and cultural organizations travelled to the island to express their opposition to the blockade in person and to offer material and symbolic support.

           Faced with such an adverse situation, as detailed in this report, Cuba has not been left isolated. The overwhelming majority of members of the international community, political forces from around the world, civil society organizations and prominent figures from across the globe continue to stand in solidarity with the island.

           The Cubans’ feat of withstanding such a ruthless siege will continue to inspire admiration around the world. The Cuban people will prevail because their resilience, creativity and determination cannot be stifled in any way.

               VII.     Quantifying the impact of the blockade by sectors of Cuban society during the period from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026

           Health: economic losses totalling $367,303,500 were reported.

           Education: the Cuban Ministry of Education reported losses totalling $73,799,500 during the period under review. For its part, the Ministry of Higher Education reports losses totalling $24,207,000.

           Food production: agricultural business groups reported losses totalling $848,088,919 due to the blockade.

           Sports: losses in the amount of $36,271,620 were reported.

           Culture: losses in this sector were estimated to be $435,523,400.

           Biotechnology: BioCubaFarma, the Cuban Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Business Group, suffered losses totalling $134,378,690 as a result of the blockade.

           Tourism: estimated damages totalled $2,093,914,700.

           Electric power sector: losses in this area totalled $802,352,780.

           Telecommunications: losses in this sector totalled $135,427,300.

           Transportation: losses totalled $202,010,740.

                     Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

[Original: English]

[19 January 2026]

           The General Assembly, for more than 30 years, has adopted resolutions entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, with the support of the overwhelming majority of States Members of the United Nations, demonstrating the international community’s unwavering support for the Government and people of Cuba and rejecting the inhumane and illegal embargo that has hindered the socioeconomic development of Cuba for more than six decades.

           Nevertheless, the unprecedented tightening of the blockade by the United States, which includes very aggressive measures imposed in recent years, the full implementation of the Helms-Burton Act, the increased persecution of the country’s financial transactions and fuel supplies, and the arbitrary inclusion of Cuba on the State Department’s list of State sponsors of terrorism, continues to have dire consequences for the socioeconomic development of Cuba and devastating effects on the well-being of its people.

           The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea strongly urges the United States to lift unconditionally and without any further delay the extraterritorial economic and financial embargo against Cuba and delist Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, while categorically rejecting the United States coercive measures against Cuba as a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which stipulate the principles of respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, and as a crime against humanity.

           The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reiterates its firm support to and solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba in their efforts to safeguard national dignity and sovereignty and to promote socioeconomic development.

                     Democratic Republic of the Congo

[Original: French]

[16 March 2026]

           The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomes the importance that the Secretary-General continues to attach to the issue of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

           The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains greatly concerned and reiterates its long-standing position in favour of lifting the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.

           The Democratic Republic of the Congo also supports any initiative aimed at encouraging Cuba and the United States to pursue constructive, fruitful dialogue that could help to bring about a peaceful and mutually beneficial settlement for the peoples and Governments of the two countries.

           It is convinced that only through dialogue can the situation be defused, in the interest of all parties.

                     Djibouti

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Republic of Djibouti reaffirms its fundamental commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules of international law. Furthermore, Djibouti has voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 80/4, and thus has not promulgated or applied any laws of the type referred to in the preamble of the above-mentioned resolution and, as such, the necessity of repealing or invalidating any such laws or measures does not arise.

                     Dominica

[Original: English]

[6 May 2026]

           The Commonwealth of Dominica reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including sovereignty, non-interference and respect for international law. The continued embargo against Cuba remains inconsistent with these principles and continues to impose undue hardship on the Cuban people, while constraining opportunities for regional cooperation among small developing States.

           Unilateral measures that undermine development run counter to a rules-based international system. In that regard, Dominica calls for the immediate lifting of the embargo and supports the resolution.

                     Dominican Republic

[Original: Spanish]

[23 March 2026]

           The Dominican Republic respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, as established in article 3 of its Constitution. Furthermore, article 50 of the Constitution recognizes and guarantees freedom of enterprise, commerce and industry. Our country reaffirms its respect for the principles of self-determination of peoples and sovereignty of States enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, of which we are a founding member.

           The Government of the Dominican Republic has clearly stated in various international forums that the country accepts the international legal order, which guarantees respect for fundamental rights, peace, justice, peaceful coexistence among peoples and the duty of solidarity with all nations.

           The Dominican Republic does not have laws or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to General Assembly resolution 80/4, and it meets its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including respect for the freedom of trade and navigation.

                     Egypt

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           The Arab Republic of Egypt voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 80/4, in line with its consistent position that unilateral sanctions imposed outside the framework of the United Nations are not a course of action that Egypt can condone.

           The embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba constitutes a clear violation of the principles of multilateralism and is in breach of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, as well as of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and mutual trust. The unjust and unjustifiable embargo causes undue economic and social hardship on the Cuban people. It also affects the vital sectors of the Cuban economy.

           The embargo is an anachronism from a bygone era that must be lifted. The embargo has an extended effect on companies and citizens from third countries. The extraterritorial effects violate the sovereign rights of many Member States. Egypt is deeply concerned about the widening of the extraterritorial nature of the embargo, which is an added argument in favour of its prompt elimination.

           Egypt believes that the embargo continues to be a counterproductive and morally insupportable policy, which has not served the purpose of breaking the Cuban people’s determination to control their own future. And, despite all the detrimental repercussions and adverse impacts of the embargo, the Government of Cuba has made enormous efforts in meeting the needs of its people. It has been proved through over 65 years of embargo that, in this globalized world, the Cuban people can still survive thanks to their perseverance and hope. Egypt hopes that dialogue between Cuba and the United States, based on mutual respect and on observance of the principles of international law and the Charter, will lead to the immediate lifting of the embargo and the normalization of bilateral relations in all their aspects.

           Egypt once again urges the United States to comply immediately and fully with all 33 resolutions, which were adopted by the overwhelming majority of the international community, and to put an end to the unjustified embargo, which should never have existed and must cease once and for all.

                     Equatorial Guinea

[Original: Spanish]

[5 March 2026]

           The Republic of Equatorial Guinea has always favoured policies that promote good relations among States, because it considers them essential to ensuring stability, peace and the economic and social development of nations, and also because they facilitate trade, multisectoral cooperation, cultural exchange and conflict prevention, which leads to shared progress and a safer regional and global environment.

           In this regard, Equatorial Guinea opposes discriminatory trade practices and the extraterritorial application of national laws to the detriment of Cuba, as these actions run counter to the obligations to promote dialogue and to prioritize international law and the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

           Equatorial Guinea has consistently opposed the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba and will continue to support resolutions introduced at the United Nations regarding the need to end this blockade, as it did with General Assembly resolution 80/4 and previous relevant resolutions. It also urges the international community to respond ever more fully to the call to open the doors to development in the peaceful sister nation of Cuba.

                     Eritrea

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           The Government of the State of Eritrea has not promulgated or applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Eritrea remains strongly opposed to any continuation of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, which is inconsistent with the principles of international law, and undermines the efforts of Cuba and its people in their endeavour towards the achievement of all the internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

           Eritrea joins other States in calling on the United States for the immediate repeal or invalidation of all laws or measures, which continue to adversely impact the livelihoods of the Cuban people and Cuban nationals living in other countries.

                     Eswatini

[Original: English]

[17 March 2026]

           The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini notes with concern the significant escalation of the embargo and the deepening humanitarian situation in Cuba. In the spirit of leaving no one behind, and in a bid to safeguard the basic human rights and dignity of all Cuban nationals, Eswatini appeals to the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba to engage in negotiations to resolve this impasse. Such deliberations ought to be premised on mutual respect and observance of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as international law.

                     Ethiopia

[Original: English]

[27 February 2026]

           Unilateral coercive measures constitute a blatant violation of international law and are against the norms and principles governing friendly relations among States.

           The economic, financial and commercial embargoes imposed on Cuba have significantly impeded the country’s efforts to achieve its national development objectives and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. These measures have also posed serious risks to the availability of essential services and affected Cuba’s engagement in global economic and financial affairs.

           Over the years, Cuba has faced numerous natural hazards, including floods, hurricanes and tropical storms, which affected the lives and livelihoods of the Cuban people. The international community should provide the necessary support to Cuba to enable the country to address these challenges.

           Ethiopia also encourages open and constructive dialogue to bridge differences and to take steps in lifting the sanctions. This is critical to reintegrate Cuba into the international political and economic system and unlock its full potential to effectively use its domestic resources and capability to address pressing development challenges the country is facing.

           Ethiopia once again reiterates the call by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union for the lifting of the embargo imposed against Cuba.

                     European Union

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           On 29 October 2025, the General Assembly voted on resolution 80/4. A total of 19 European Union member States voted in favour,[3] 6 abstained,[4] 1 voted against[5] and 1 did not vote.[6]

           The European Union member States voting in favour of the resolution issued an explanation of vote stressing that the economic, commercial and financial embargo unilaterally imposed by the United States, as well as Cuba’s maintenance in the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism, should be ended. These measures contribute to the ongoing economic crisis in the country, negatively affecting the living standards of the Cuban people and entailing severe humanitarian consequences.

           The European Union member States that abstained also issued explanations of vote acknowledging the embargo’s adverse humanitarian impact on the Cuban people, reaffirming the United Nations Charter as the guiding framework, and regretting that, while Cuba calls for the strict observance of international law in the context of the resolution under discussion, it has for years supported Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which itself is in stark breach of the Charter.

           United States measures against Cuba negatively affect European Union economic interests and violate commonly accepted rules of international trade. A large majority of European Union member States continue to express their opposition to the unlawful extraterritorial application of the United States embargo, including the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996. To protect the interests of natural or legal persons residing in the European Union against the extraterritorial application of the Helms-Burton Act, Council Regulation (EC) No. 2271/96 forbids the European Union member States from applying that legislation and prohibits its implementation. Regulation (EC) No. 2271/96 can be invoked by European Union operators that are negatively affected by the extraterritorial application of the Helms-Burton legislation. The European Union intends to use all instruments and options at its disposal to protect the economic activities of European Union nationals and companies, including investments.

           Following the adoption of the United Nations resolution, the United States proceeded with the implementation of its embargo and connected measures against Cuba, including their extraterritorial effects.

           The European Union considers that its critical yet constructive engagement with Cuba, within the framework of the European Union-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, remains an effective approach to supporting the country’s institutional, economic, social and political modernization, and emphasizes the urgent need to make the implementation and working methods of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement more results-oriented. The European Union also reiterates its call on the Cuban Government to take action and demonstrate, without delay, tangible progress, notably regarding the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens, including the release of political prisoners and all those arbitrarily detained. Moreover, the European Union urges the Cuban authorities to make concrete advances towards opening spaces for a constructive and inclusive dialogue with the whole spectrum of civil society and political actors, including in the context of the implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. The European Union stands ready to work with Cuba to advance economic reform to effectively liberalize its economy in order to boost economic development and prosperity.

           The European Union also emphasizes the outmost importance of upholding the United Nations Charter and international law under all circumstances and expects all United Nations members to fully adhere to these fundamental principles. In this context, the European Union strongly urges Cuba to refrain from providing any kind of support to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and to take all necessary and effective measures to prevent its nationals from joining Russian military forces.

                     Fiji

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Government of Fiji reaffirms its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 and upholds the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Fiji has not enacted or applied any laws or taken any measures against Cuba that would prohibit or restrict economic, commercial or financial relations between the two countries. Fiji therefore supports the call for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States of America, with the conviction that such progress would contribute to peace and shared prosperity.

                     Gabon

[Original: French]

[23 March 2026]

           Gabon reiterates its principled position that the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba for over six decades should be lifted. This embargo not only poses an impediment to diplomatic relations between the countries concerned, but also has a negative impact on the Cuban economy and on the standard of living of Cuban citizens, who suffer the consequences of the embargo on a daily basis.

           Gabon calls for unfailing respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the sovereign equality of States, to ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes in a context characterized by many global challenges.

           Furthermore, the Government of Gabon urgently calls upon the international community to find an appropriate solution to the United States oil blockade, which is disrupting the lives of Cubans, who are already facing severe hardship.

                     Gambia

[Original: English]

[20 February 2026]

           The Government of the Gambia reaffirms its unwavering commitment and adherence to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-interference in domestic affairs of States and the right to engage freely in international trade and navigation.

           Accordingly, and in observance of the tenets and principles of the Charter and the values enshrined in the Constitution of the Gambia, the Government of the Gambia has not taken any steps or promulgated or applied any laws or measures of the kind encapsulated in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Mindful of the rules of international law and the principles of international humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States, the Gambia considers that the economic, financial and commercial measures taken against Cuba by the United States hinders the socioeconomic development of the people of Cuba, occasioning undue hardship towards sustainable growth.

           The Gambia therefore joins the views expressed by the majority of Member States in unreservedly calling for effective dialogue and constructive engagement towards the total lifting of the embargo against Cuba and reiterates its strong support and solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba.

                     Georgia

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Georgia reaffirms its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4. Georgia has not promulgated or applied laws or taken measures against Cuba that would prohibit or restrict economic, commercial or financial relations between Cuba and Georgia.

                     Ghana

[Original: English]

[20 March 2026]

           Pursuant to the Secretary General’s report (A/80/83) on the unilateral economic sanctions placed on Cuba by the United States and their dire effects for the past six decades, the General Assembly convened, on 29 October 2025, a high-level meeting to adopt its annual resolution aimed at ending this unilateral coercive measure by the United States.

           Ghana, as an advocate of the principle of sovereign equality of States, participated in the meeting by delivering a statement and voting in favour of the adoption of the draft resolution. John Dramani Mahama, in his speech at the General Assembly in September 2025, advocated for an end to this sanction. In a statement delivered by Emmanuella Karikari Agyeman, Third Committee expert, Ghana stressed that the embargo served as a direct moral and legal contradiction of the objectives of the United Nations Charter and the spirit of multilateralism.

           Furthermore, it was highlighted that the extraterritorial application of the embargo placed a huge restriction on third States and nationals and their right to development, in its capacity as a primary and secondary sanction. Finally, Ghana called for an end to the embargo and admonished member States to uphold their State obligations under the Charter. The resolution was adopted by a majority vote of 165 in favour, 7 against and 12 abstentions.

                     Grenada

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           Grenada, as a sovereign, independent State with the firm conviction of the sovereign equality of States, continues to recognize, uphold and adhere to the principles of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of States.

           Consequently, Grenada reiterates that it neither promulgates, applies nor condones laws and measures that encroach on or undermine the sovereign rights of any State or laws that restrict and hinder international trade and/or navigation by any State, and issues another clarion call for the removal of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on the Government and people of Cuba by the United States of America.

           The escalation of measures and unfettered adverse effects of this embargo is a consistent impediment to the goal of human development as it undermines the fundamental principles of humanity. Grenada continues to view it as counterproductive in its application and in contravention of the principle of non‑interference in the internal affairs of States.

           Grounded in this conviction, Grenada unreservedly supports General Assembly resolution 80/4, which calls for conformity with obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

                     Guatemala

[Original: Spanish]

[22 January 2026]

           Since 1997, the Republic of Guatemala has supported the resolutions on the economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. In 2025, Guatemala joined the efforts of the United Nations system for the adoption of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and, in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 thereof, reaffirmed that it had not adopted any measures contrary to those principles or to the freedom of international trade and navigation.

           The country continues to reject any unilateral action that runs counter to free trade or international law and urges those States that still maintain such provisions to review and repeal them. Guatemala reiterates that it has no legal or regulatory barriers restricting free movement or trade with Cuba, a fact reflected in the positive state of bilateral relations.

           Guatemala is concerned that, despite the widely held position expressed by the General Assembly, United States policies towards Cuba are being tightened, which has a direct impact on the well-being and development of the Cuban people. In light of this, Guatemala considers it essential to foster conditions that promote stability and dialogue.

           In this context, Guatemala renews its call for constructive dialogue between the two parties in order to normalize diplomatic, economic, trade, financial and cooperative relations. It also reaffirms its commitment to supporting the efforts of the international community to reach a definitive solution that will put an end to the blockade against Cuba.

                     Guinea

[Original: French]

[16 April 2026)

           In accordance with the rules of international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Government of the Republic of Guinea, committed to the ideals of the sovereignty and equality of peoples, reaffirms its support for the international community’s efforts to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

           Noting with regret that this blockade negatively affects the efforts of the Cuban Government to pursue the country’s economic and social development, the Government of Guinea deplores the worrying humanitarian situation and resulting significant losses of financial resources that could have contributed to the development of the Cuban people.

           The Government of Guinea offers its traditional support to the Cuban cause and reiterates its commitment to strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation that have always existed between Guinea and Cuba.

           The Government of Guinea once again encourages the high authorities of the United States and Cuba to resume the dialogue previously initiated for the unconditional lifting of the embargo, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.

                     Guinea-Bissau

[Original: French]

[19 March 2026]

           Guinea-Bissau reaffirms that discriminatory trade practices and the extraterritorial application of domestic law are incompatible with the international obligations to promote dialogue, cooperation and respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

           Consequently, the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau does not endorse the unilateral measures adopted against the Republic of Cuba and does not implement, at the domestic level, any mechanism for enforcing them. Those measures remain contrary to the norms of international law, particularly with regard to freedom of trade and navigation.

           Guinea-Bissau expresses its concern over actions and measures that could further exacerbate the blockade, which run counter to international efforts to strengthen stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

           Guinea-Bissau deeply regrets that this blockade, which has been in place for over six decades, continues to seriously affect the Cuban people, causing significant harm in essential sectors such as public health, nutrition, transport, agriculture, banking, trade, investment and tourism.

           The prolonged blockade remains a major obstacle to the socioeconomic progress of Cuba and undermines national efforts to achieve its sustainable development goals, particularly in the global context of 2026, which is marked by heightened economic and geopolitical challenges.

           Guinea-Bissau commends the Secretary-General for his continued attention to this matter and reiterates its call for the full implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4, as supported by the majority of Member States.

           It also encourages the United States and Cuba to pursue sincere, constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue, with a view to strengthening their bilateral relations and contributing to peace, stability and development in the hemisphere.

                     Guyana

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana has consistently demonstrated its unwavering respect for and adherence to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including those enunciated in General Assembly resolution 80/4. To this end, and in compliance with resolution 80/4, Guyana has not promulgated nor applied laws and measures of the kind referred to in its preamble, the extraterritorial effects of which affect the sovereignty of other States, including Cuba.

           Guyana maintains its call for an end to the embargo in compliance with the Charter. Guyana supports the call for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States of America in the conviction that such a development would contribute to the economic, social and cultural integration of the Americas. We urge the support of the international community for developing countries such as Cuba as they seek to advance implementation of the 2030 Agenda, consolidate post-pandemic recovery and grapple with the impacts of climate change. Guyana further underscores the need for humanitarian support for the Cuban people.

           Guyana recognizes the active contributions that Cuba has made over several decades in areas such as human resource development, health, agriculture, sports and culture, despite the ongoing embargo, and which have been integral to socioeconomic progress in the Caribbean Community, many of the countries of the Latin America and Caribbean region and further afield. The Government of Guyana expresses its appreciation to the Government of Cuba for the valuable support provided to the people of Guyana in the many areas of cooperation.

                     Haiti

[Original: French]

[4 May 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Haiti has never promulgated any laws, legal provisions or measures of the kind referred to in resolution 80/4, adopted by the General Assembly on 29 October 2025.

           Haiti reaffirms its commitment and adherence to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for the principles of the sovereign equality of States and non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, as well as the rights of States and their nationals to the free enjoyment of the benefits of navigation and trade. States must act in accordance with these principles of international law and renounce unilateral measures that could undermine the social, economic and financial structures of other States.

           On the basis of these principles, the Government of Haiti has always supported the efforts of the sister Republic of Cuba regarding the urgent necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade that has affected that country for many years, within the United Nations and at various summits of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

           Haiti therefore hopes that bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States are normalized, leading to an end to the economic and financial embargo against Cuba.

                     Iceland

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Government of Iceland reaffirms its position in favour of resolution 80/4. Iceland neither promulgates nor applies any laws or measures referred to in resolution 80/4. Iceland does not apply trade or economic legislation against Cuba that restricts or discourages trade or investment to or from Cuba. Iceland opposes the extraterritorial extension of unilateral measures against a third country.

                     India

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           India has not promulgated or applied any laws of the type referred to in the preamble of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and, therefore, the necessity of repealing or invalidating any such laws or measures does not arise.

           India has consistently opposed any unilateral measure by countries that impinge on the sovereignty of another country. These include any attempt to extend the application of a country’s laws extraterritorially to other sovereign nations.

           India recalls the final documents adopted at the nineteenth Summit Conference of Heads of State and Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Kampala on 19 and 20 January 2024, and the outcome document of the Third South Summit of the Group of 77, held in Kampala on 21 and 22 January 2024, as well as other high-level decisions of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and urges the international community to adopt all necessary measures to protect the sovereign rights of all countries.

                     Indonesia

[Original: English]

[6 April 2026]

           The Republic of Indonesia strongly reaffirms its opposition to unilateral coercive measures with extraterritorial effects on the sovereignty of other States and reiterates the legitimate interests of entities or persons under their jurisdiction and the principles of freedom of trade and navigation. Indonesia continues to reject any new measures intended to intensify the unilateral measures against Cuba.

           Indonesia maintains that the long-standing economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States against Cuba violates the core principles of sovereign equality, non-interference and non-intervention in internal affairs. These principles are grounded in the Charter of the United Nations and other international legal frameworks that govern peaceful relations between States.

           Indonesia notes the severe and disproportionate harm these measures have inflicted on Cuba’s economy and humanitarian conditions. Sanctions targeting fuel shipments risk undermining the enjoyment of basic rights of the Cuban people, particularly the rights to food and health. They have also placed significant strain on the tourism sector, a long-standing pillar of Cuba’s economic stability, thereby amplifying broader economic impacts and compounding existing vulnerabilities.

           As the world works towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Indonesia believes that any action hindering a country’s economic progress is unacceptable. The unilateral measure contradicts the goal of global development, weakens international trust in multilateral cooperation and risks leaving the Cuban people behind.

           Despite Indonesia’s repeated support for resolutions to end the United States embargo, it is regrettable that there has been no real progress. The Cuban people, especially vulnerable groups like children, women and the elderly, continue to endure significant suffering and hardship. Consequently, Indonesia emphasizes the need for better dialogue to finally end the unilateral measure and move towards the normalization of bilateral relations.

                     Iran (Islamic Republic of)

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Islamic Republic of Iran has always reiterated its strong opposition to unilateral coercive measures, especially those with extraterritorial effects on the sovereignty and independence of other States. Such measures deliberately violate the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-interference and non-intervention in their internal affairs, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States. They cause significant suffering and untold hardship for ordinary people, particularly those in vulnerable situations, such as the elderly, women, children and the sick, and constitute violations of fundamental human rights.

           Cuba, owing to its continued pursuit of an independent foreign policy, is among the countries that have endured this unlawful and unjustifiable policy for more than six decades. For nearly 60 years, an overwhelming majority of United Nations Member States have vehemently rejected this unjust and unlawful practice against Cuba. The only exceptions have been the United States of America and the Israeli regime, which continues to receive unwavering support from the United States in its atrocities, genocidal acts and aggressions.

           With regard to General Assembly resolution 80/4, Iran reiterates its principled position, as reflected in numerous previous reports of the Secretary-General submitted pursuant to this resolution, and fully supports its implementation. In this regard, Iran remains committed to its long-standing position of refraining from promulgating or applying laws or measures of the kind referred to in the resolution and strongly opposes the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.

           In the same vein, Iran continues to categorically reject the United States’ fabricated list containing certain States as “State sponsors of terrorism”, which is based on an internal political agenda and on baseless and unsubstantiated allegations.

           Iran, in close coordination and cooperation with other Member States that are the victims of unilateral coercive measures, will continue its efforts to prevent, eliminate and mitigate the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures.

           Iran, which has also been a victim of the United States’ entrenched policy of imposing unilateral coercive measures for more than four decades, once again expresses its solidarity with and sympathy for all independent nations affected by such illegitimate and unlawful actions, including the people and Government of Cuba, and joins the global call for the United States to immediately and fully comply with its international obligations and to lift the sanctions imposed against Cuba.

                     Iraq

[Original: English]

[11 February 2026]

           Unilateral coercive measures negatively affect individuals, companies and human rights, resulting from sanctions imposed by one or more countries for political or economic considerations. The negative impacts of unilateral sanctions and unilateral coercive measures are represented in the following:

           1.       Increased poverty. Poverty rates tend to rise among poor and middle classes in countries subject to sanctions due to the lack of access to economic resources. These lead to a noticeable decline in the per capita gross domestic product, followed by a deterioration in the country’s general economic situation. This adversely affects efforts to promote sustainable international development and hinders reform processes in Cuba, while coercive economic measures imposed on States primarily affect populations as the most adversely impacted parties, rather than Governments or authorities as such.

           2.       Low level of health. Although sanctions are not imposed on medicines and medical equipment, they have indirect consequences, represented by the difficulty of providing medicines to countries under sanctions, negatively affecting the right of citizens to obtain equitable healthcare.

           3.       Impeding access to justice. The right to litigation, as one of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the individual before the competent judicial authorities, is exposed to negative consequences due to unilateral sanctions, including the inability of individuals to pay litigation fees to judicial institutions.

           4.       Impact of unilateral economic sanctions on growth and relations of countries under sanctions with other countries. Countries often withdraw from bilateral relations due to the restrictions imposed, isolating countries under sanctions. The repeated use of trade and financial mechanisms for political purposes weakens confidence in the global trade and financial system, contributes to market instability and slower growth, and conveys negative messages to trading and economic partners.

           Recommendations:

        • Urge all countries to refrain from imposing unilateral coercive measures that are inconsistent with the rules of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the principles regulating peaceful relations between countries, especially measures whose effects exceed territorial borders and create obstacles to trade relations between countries.

        • Iraq supports diplomatic mediation efforts to encourage negotiations and dialogue. Settle differences between countries through dialogue and peaceful means to resolve disputes.

        • Iraq welcomes all efforts to normalize relations between the United States of America and Cuba, lift all restrictions and enable the Cuban people to engage freely in trade and economic activities, in keeping with the efforts of the United Nations to achieve sustainable development for all peoples, without exception.

                     Jamaica

[Original: English]

[27 March 2026]

           The Government of Jamaica remains fully committed to the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           In keeping with the obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and pursuant to General Assembly resolution 80/4, the Government of Jamaica has not promulgated any legislation or measure that would infringe on the sovereignty of any State or its lawful national interests.

           Jamaica views economic sovereignty as a cornerstone of a State’s development. On 21 October 2025, for the seventeenth consecutive year, the Parliament passed a resolution that, inter alia, called for renewed dialogue between the United States and Cuba and for the ending of the embargo. Jamaica agrees that the imposition of unilateral extraterritorial coercive economic measures is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and undermines the principles of multilateralism, sovereignty and free trade.

           Jamaica remains concerned about the impact of these measures on the socioeconomic situation of the people of Cuba. The designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism and its continued inclusion on the list, has created obstacles to international financial transactions with the island.

           The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community have repeatedly issued public statements rejecting the imposition of these unilateral coercive measures and have called for an immediate and unconditional end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba.

           Jamaica supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability. We encourage continued domestic reform in Cuba and greater integration into international systems supported by policies that enable progress rather than isolation.

                     Japan

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Government of Japan has not promulgated or applied laws or measures of the kind that are referred to in paragraph 2 of resolution 80/4.

           The Government of Japan believes that the economic policy of the United States towards Cuba should be considered primarily as a bilateral issue. However, Japan shares the concern, arising from the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 (known as the Helms-Burton Act) and the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, that, if application of such laws causes undue hardship in relation to the economic activities of the enterprises or nationals of a third party, the laws are likely to run counter to international law regarding the extraterritorial application of domestic laws.

           The Government of Japan has been closely following the situation in relation to the above-mentioned laws and the surrounding circumstances, and its concern remains unchanged. Having considered the matter with the utmost care, Japan voted in favour of resolution 80/4.

                     Jordan

[Original: English]

[5 May 2026]

           The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has not applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4. The Government of Jordan has consistently voted in favour of the above-mentioned resolution and reaffirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

                     Kazakhstan

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           Kazakhstan traditionally adheres to the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade, and supports the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on lifting the economic, trade and financial blockade against the Republic of Cuba.

                     Kenya

[Original: English]

[6 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Kenya has neither promulgated nor applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 79/7.

           The Government of Kenya firmly supports a rules-based multilateral system and therefore cannot back unilateral decisions that block Cuba or prolong suffering for the Cuban people.

           The United Nations should not uphold sanctions or embargos indefinitely, especially when they have undermined Cuba’s objectives of national ownership, sustainable peace and sustainable development.

           For these reasons, Kenya consistently votes in favour of the resolutions to remove this prolonged burden on the Cuban people. The Cuban people have the right to protect their statehood and to participate freely in the global market, regional initiatives, diplomatic relations and other forms of international engagement as a nation duly recognized by the United Nations.

                     Kiribati

[Original: English]

[6 May 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Kiribati again reiterates, for the twelfth time, its support for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4. We believe that the resolution, consistent with the Charter of our United Nations, will contribute positively to the general welfare and well-being of the people of Cuba and to a more peaceful, humane and loving world for all.

                     Kuwait

[Original: English]

[8 January 2026]

           The State of Kuwait expresses its support for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and reiterates its strong commitment to international law and to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, including those pertaining to the sovereign equality of States and non-interference in their internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful coexistence and settlement of disputes by peaceful means, and further reaffirms its adherence to the principles of freedom of trade and navigation.

                     Kyrgyzstan

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to the fundamental norms and principles of international law, including the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, and also advocates respect for the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and shipping. Kyrgyzstan consistently supports the efforts of the United Nations Member States to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba.

                     Lao People’s Democratic Republic

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           The Lao People’s Democratic Republic reaffirms its consistent position that an embargo, including its extraterritorial implications, hinders the socioeconomic development of a nation and contradicts the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, the sovereign equality of States and freedom of international trade and navigation. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has neither promulgated nor applied laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           The imposition of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba by the United States of America not only violates international law but also imposes severe restrictions and major obstacles to its socioeconomic development. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic calls for the immediate lifting of the embargo against Cuba.

                     Lebanon

[Original: English]

[2 February 2026]

           The Government of Lebanon fully complies with General Assembly resolution 80/4, in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. This is a long-standing position of Lebanon, based on the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter that emphasize respect for the sovereignty of States.

                     Lesotho

[Original: English]

[27 March 2026]

           The Kingdom of Lesotho reaffirms its commitment to the provisions and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which, inter alia, provide for sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           Lesotho is deeply concerned about the harmful effects of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba. In this regard, Lesotho calls for the full lifting of all measures that continue to adversely affect the country.

                     Liberia

[Original: English]

[11 March 2026]

           The Government of Liberia supports the call to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, principally as the embargo poses challenges for the people of Cuba.

           The position of the Republic of Liberia is in consonance with the common position of the African Union, which calls for the implementation of the General Assembly resolution on the necessity of ending the embargo.

           Liberia cooperates with the other Member States of the United Nations to support the call to end the embargo and the resolution on that matter.

                     Libya

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           Libya reiterates its strong opposition to unilateral measures imposed on States for political purposes and stresses that such conduct does not help to resolve differences between States but, rather, complicates and exacerbates them.

           Libya has consistently expressed its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law. It has not enacted or applied any laws of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Libya voted in favour of resolution 80/4 to reiterate that it opposes the economic, commercial and financial embargo. It calls upon States to resolve their differences by peaceful means and to shun coercive unilateral measures, which violate the principles of the Charter and human rights and impede efforts to achieve development, especially the Sustainable Development Goals.

                     Madagascar

[Original: French]

[27 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Madagascar, as a State Member of the United Nations, respects the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of States and non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of another State. The Government of Madagascar has neither promulgated nor applied laws or economic, trade or financial sanctions against Cuba. In that regard, Madagascar supports the measures aimed at lifting the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.

                     Malawi

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Malawi, which has diplomatic relations with Cuba, has never promulgated country-specific targeted legislation or instruments barring trade or cooperation with Cuba.

                     Malaysia

[Original: English]

[25 February 2026]

           Malaysia strongly opposes the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against any country, including Cuba.

           Such measures are inconsistent with international law, international humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations and the norms and principles of peaceful relations among States.

           These measures hinder the economic and social development of the targeted country and adversely affect the well-being of its population.

           Consistent with its principled and long-standing position, Malaysia supported General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Malaysia reiterates the urgent need to eliminate unilateral coercive measures and calls upon the parties concerned to intensify diplomatic efforts towards achieving this objective.

           Malaysia calls for the immediate end of unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.

                     Maldives

[Original: English]

[23 April 2026]

           The Republic of Maldives is against imposing any kind of sanctions against any country without an explicit mandate from the Security Council. As such, the Republic of Maldives has not imposed any sanctions on Cuba nor has it enacted any laws or regulations that would contravene the provisions of General Assembly resolution 80/4, in support of which Maldives had voted.

                     Mali

[Original: French]

[5 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Mali has always voted in favour of General Assembly resolutions on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba.

           The Government of Mali, which fully supports General Assembly resolution 80/4, has not promulgated any laws or applied any measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to that resolution.

           As in the past, Mali maintains its position that the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba should be lifted.

                     Mauritania

[Original: French]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania disagrees with and is opposed to any embargo that hinders the economic and social development of a country and leads to human suffering.

           Mauritania has always voted in favour of General Assembly resolutions on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

           Mauritania remains committed to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, in particular the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs, and freedom of trade and navigation.

                     Mauritius

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Republic of Mauritius reaffirms its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs.

           Mauritius recalls the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. In this context, and consistent with these principles, Mauritius confirms that it has neither promulgated nor applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           As a small island developing State, Mauritius is acutely aware of the structural vulnerabilities faced by island economies and underscores that unilateral coercive measures imposed against any State exacerbate economic vulnerability, restrict access to essential goods including food and medicine, and impede the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

           Mauritius and Cuba continue to enjoy cordial bilateral relations.

                     Mexico

[Original: Spanish]

[25 March 2026]

           In recent years, our country has reaffirmed its strong opposition to the application of laws or unilateral measures imposing an economic blockade against any State Member of the United Nations, as well as to the use of coercive measures without the legitimate backing of the international community, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

           Mexico condemns the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba for more than six decades, as well as the decision to implement Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Helms-Burton Act), which has affected not only the sovereignty of the Cuban people but also the national interests of third countries.

           In October 2025, our country reaffirmed, before the entirety of the United Nations, our unreserved condemnation of the economic blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, which has become a structural cause of the undermining of the human rights of the Cuban people, with major ramifications for the economy of Cuba and the country’s economic and social development, and we stated before the international community our intention of leading efforts to eliminate this measure, while promoting cooperation for development.

           Mexico reiterates the need for Cuba to be removed from the list of State sponsors of terrorism, which impedes international financial transactions and hampers the operations of foreign companies, thus causing shortages of basic products.

           From April 2023 to January 2025, the Government of Mexico implemented measures, programmes and strategies in support of the Republic of Cuba, including the “Sembrando vida” (Sowing life) programme, which sought to benefit 5,000 individual agricultural producers in the provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque, with the aim of increasing agricultural production and strengthening food sovereignty for the population living in those provinces and in Havana. This project had two components:

        • Technical assistance: provided by Cuban agronomists to improve production units and implement agricultural production systems. In addition, two plant nurseries were established, one in each province;

        • Agricultural package: distribution of seeds, tools, agrochemicals and machinery.

           Following the implementation of the project, the United Nations Development Programme conducted an assessment of outcomes in which it detailed the changes observed by beneficiaries in Cuba following the completion of the project, highlighting the following: 56 per cent of beneficiaries diversified their crops, 56 per cent increased their productivity and 65 per cent reported achieving economic independence after the project.

           Four Cuban elementary schools are participating in Programa Escuelas México (Mexico Schools Programme), which is aimed at promoting children’s development by improving the quality of education. Through this programme, we have further strengthened our ties of friendship and cooperation with the Republic of Cuba for the benefit of school-age children.

           In the same vein, in December 2025, 27 transformers were donated through the “Mexico-Cuba cooperation for the refurbishment of electrical infrastructure” project, to help to alleviate the energy crisis faced by the Cuban people.

           The blockade has prevented Cuba from engaging in international trade and finance, which translates into commercial underdevelopment, financial exclusion of individuals and companies, withdrawal of contracts, loss of relations with banking establishments and indebtedness, among other impacts.

           At the direction of the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the Government of Mexico has sent three shipments of humanitarian aid to Cuba. On 12 February 2026, more than 814 tons of basic supplies were delivered by two Mexican Navy ships. The second shipment of 1,193 tons was delivered on 1 March 2026, and the third shipment of 1,021 tons was delivered on 13 March 2026, also transported by two Mexican ships and received in Havana. These actions demonstrate solidarity with the Cuban people and international cooperation in response to the current situation on the island.

                     Monaco

[Original: French]

[8 January 2026]

           Pursuant to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the general principles of international law, the Principality of Monaco has not promulgated or applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

                     Mongolia

[Original: English]

[10 February 2026]

           In accordance with paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of General Assembly resolution 80/4, the Government of Mongolia has neither promulgated nor applied any laws or measures of the kind referred in the preamble to the resolution.

           Mongolia reaffirms its commitments to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, in particular the principle of sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs, and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           The Government of Mongolia has consistently opposed the continued application of the unilateral measures and reiterates its unconditional support for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba.

                     Montenegro

[Original: English]

[9 March 2026]

           The Government of Montenegro supported General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           The Government of Montenegro reaffirms its commitment to the purpose and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and has neither promulgated nor applied laws or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to the resolution.

                     Mozambique

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           On 29 October 2025, during its eightieth ordinary session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 80/4.

           The Republic of Mozambique, within the framework of its international obligations and in observance of the Charter of the United Nations, fully implements that resolution.

           In this context, Mozambique has not approved and does not implement laws or measures that prejudice the freedom of trade and navigation of other States.

                     Namibia

[Original: English]

[4 February 2026]

                            Multilateral cooperation

           Namibia reaffirms its firm support for General Assembly resolution 80/4. In line with its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Namibia reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the embargo imposed against the Republic of Cuba.

           Namibia firmly believes that the continued application of unilateral coercive measures undermines the ability of the Cuban people to fully enjoy their fundamental human rights and to pursue their own path of socioeconomic development. The embargo has adversely affected the livelihoods of millions of Cubans and constrained access to essential goods, medical supplies and humanitarian assistance, particularly during times of crisis.

           Namibia urges all Member States, particularly those in a position to influence the situation, to respect the principles of sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and the rule of international law.

           Namibia notes that the continued consideration of this item by the General Assembly, and the consistent and overwhelming support expressed by Member States across all regions, underscores the multilateral nature of the call to end the embargo against Cuba. This broad consensus reflects a shared commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law and the rejection of unilateral measures with extraterritorial effects that undermine sustainable development and international cooperation. Namibia emphasizes that the United Nations remains the appropriate multilateral forum for addressing such matters, in a manner that upholds the principles of the Charter.

           As a member State of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, Namibia’s position aligns with the long-standing regional and continental opposition to unilateral sanctions and external interference. This collective stance underscores the importance of solidarity among African countries and other developing nations in advancing independence, self-determination and sustainable economic development. The African Union annually adopts a decision calling for the lifting of the illegal sanctions against Cuba, a principled tradition that Namibia believes will continue until the Cuban people can fully enjoy the benefits of their hard-earned independence.

           Beyond the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, Namibia has consistently advocated for the lifting of the United States embargo against Cuba across various multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth. In these platforms, Namibia has supported and endorsed resolutions and initiatives calling for an end to the embargo, reflecting its enduring commitment to multilateralism, international solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

           Namibia reiterates its unwavering support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 and stands ready to continue working with fellow Member States to promote a just, equitable and inclusive international order, free from undue external pressures and unilateral interventions.

                            Bilateral cooperation

           Building on long-standing historical ties and a shared commitment to solidarity and South-South cooperation, the Government of Namibia maintains cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations with the Government of Cuba. This partnership is underpinned by a number of bilateral agreements and sustained through regular political engagement and institutional cooperation. To this end, Namibia and Cuba convene joint working sessions every two years, which serve as an important mechanism for reviewing cooperation, identifying priorities and advancing collaboration across key sectors such as health, higher education training, capacity development and other areas of mutual interest.

                            Public health

           Under a specific agreement between the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba and the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia, signed in 2015, the two countries have forged good relations, enabling Namibia to benefit from the service of 102 Cuban medical specialists. They are currently serving in all corners of Namibia, assisting the Government with its challenging responsibility of extending public health to the Namibian people.

           Under the bilateral agreement on the provision of the Cuban medical brigade, Cuban medical practitioners are deployed in public hospitals across all 14 regions of Namibia, including remote areas. The Cuban doctors serving in Namibia specialize in health fields supplementing Namibian expertise.

           The Cuban medical practitioners also contribute to skills and knowledge transfer in the health sector, as they work alongside Namibian medical counterparts in the spirit of solidarity.

                            Construction

           Through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Namibia signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Construction of the Government of Cuba in December 2013, which makes provision for the secondment of Cuban engineers and architects. There are currently 30 Cuban technical experts working in all regions of Namibia.

           The Cuban experts serving under the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development have been instrumental in the supervision of the design work and implementation of capital projects carried out by regional councils, such as the construction of houses, government offices, bridges and other public infrastructure.

           They have also been instrumental in the transfer of knowledge and skills to local personnel who serve in the geological services and material development research and in innovation, at the Habitat Research and Development Centre, under Directorate of Housing and Rural Development of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

           The Ministry of Works and Transport of Namibia and the Ministry of Construction of Cuba signed an agreement in July 2024, focusing on the secondment of Cuban technical professionals. This agreement has facilitated the deployment of 20 Cuban technical professionals to provide technical and capacity-building support to the Ministry of Works of Transport since 2024.

                            Higher Education and Training

           In 2022, the Ministry of Works and Transport of Namibia and the Ministry of Higher Education of Cuba signed an Agreement, which makes provision for the training of Namibian students in Cuba in technical fields of engineering.

           Namibia currently has 32 young people pursuing electrical, civil and structural engineering courses at various technical institutions of higher learning of Cuba.

           In 2016, the Governments of Namibia and Cuba signed a specific agreement for academic Services, intended for the training of Namibian students in medical studies (medicine and dentistry). Through this scholarship programme sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, 177 medical science students and 49 dentistry students graduated from Cuban institutions of higher learning between 2022 and 2024. These graduates are currently deployed in Namibian public hospitals, where they offer public health service to the Namibian people.

           The Cuban Government also offers two scholarship opportunities to Namibian youth each year, in partnership with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund. Under this generous offer by the Cuban Government, eight students are pursuing their medical studies in Cuba, while three medical students graduated from this programme in 2022.

                            Capacity development in the defence sector

           Namibia and Cuba entered into a framework agreement in the domain of defence and national security since 2011, which facilitates the training and capacity development of Namibian Defence Force officers at Cuban military training institutions.

           Since the inception of the programme, eight members of the Namibian Defence Force started training in Cuba, specializing in computer engineering and exploration radio electronic engineering courses.

                            Inaugural session of the Namibia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission for Bilateral Cooperation

           Namibia and Cuba monitor the implementation of their bilateral cooperation through the Intergovernmental Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, chaired at the ministerial level. The inaugural session of the Commission was held in Havana from 29 September to 1 October 2025. Namibia is expected to host the second session in 2027.

                            Exchange of visits

           Apart from their fruitful and cordial bilateral cooperation, Namibia and Cuba have a very active people-to-people exchange, mainly through frequent official visits and students exchange programmes.

           The following are some of the notable official visits:

        • During a State visit to Cuba in December 2024, the two countries concluded the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Intergovernmental Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, chaired by ministers responsible for international relations and foreign affairs.

        • Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of the Republic of Cuba, paid an official visit to Namibia on 8 February 2025.

        • Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of Namibia, undertook an official visit to Cuba from 29 September to 1 October 2025.

                     Nauru

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Republic of Nauru reaffirms its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the sovereign equality of States and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

           Nauru also recognizes the importance of freedom of international trade and navigation in accordance with international law.

           Nauru expresses concern regarding the continued economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. The persistence of this embargo remains a matter of concern for the international community, particularly in a time of multiple global challenges.

           Nauru reiterates its support for General Assembly resolution General Assembly resolution 80/4 on the necessity of ending the embargo against Cuba.

           Nauru encourages all parties concerned to engage constructively and in a spirit of cooperation towards a mutually acceptable solution consistent with the Charter of the United Nations.

                     Nepal

[Original: English]

[17 March 2026]

           The Government of Nepal has firmly adhered to the provisions of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and has not enacted or applied any laws or measures contrary to it.

                     New Zealand

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Government of New Zealand reaffirms its position in support of General Assembly resolution 80/4. The Government of New Zealand has consistently supported General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the trade embargo against Cuba. The embargo restricts foreign companies, including New Zealand companies, from conducting legitimate and lawful business in Cuba. As noted in our explanation of vote in 2025, our support should not be interpreted as endorsing the policies of Cuba, including failures to comply with international human rights standards. New Zealand continues to urge the Cuban Government to respect the human rights of its people.

                     Nicaragua

[Original: Spanish]

[19 March 2026]

           The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of the Republic of Nicaragua reaffirms its strong commitment to the defence of multilateralism, international law and the right of peoples to development, basing its international relations on the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

           Nicaragua reiterates its unequivocal rejection of unilateral coercive measures, as they are illegal, contrary to international law and have a direct and unjust impact on the development of peoples, especially in the countries of the Global South.

           Nicaragua denounces the extraterritorial application of these measures as a practice of intimidation and coercion against third States and economic actors, which undermines international cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations. In this context, Nicaragua condemns in the strongest possible terms the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against the Republic of Cuba, as it constitutes an anachronistic, illegal and inhumane policy that, since 1959, has sought to suffocate a dignified people and deny them their legitimate right to self-determination and development.

           Nicaragua notes that the blockade perpetuates and exacerbates serious obstacles to Cuba’s access to food, medicines, medical supplies, technology, financing, banking services, insurance, transportation and energy supplies, with direct impacts on the daily lives and well-being of the general population.

           We view with deep concern the intensification of the blockade through extraterritorial mechanisms, including activities related to Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, as well as pressure on banks, suppliers and third countries, which are intended to punish or deter legitimate trade and cooperation with Cuba.

           Nicaragua also rejects the arbitrary and unjustified inclusion of Cuba on the list of State sponsors of terrorism, which exacerbates its economic and financial isolation, disproportionately affecting the civilian population and hindering economic activity and international cooperation with Cuba.

           Nicaragua views with deep concern the recent actions of the Government of the United States to hinder the supply of energy to Cuba, including through a set of trade measures targeting third countries that engage in fuel-related trade with Cuba.

           These restrictions are disrupting essential services, the healthcare system, access to clean water, transportation and supply chains, further exacerbating the impact on people’s daily lives.

           Nicaragua supports the repeated will of the overwhelming majority of Member States, expressed once again in October 2025, and calls for the General Assembly’s sovereign decision to end this immoral blockade against Cuba to be respected and implemented.

           We urge the Government of the United States to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba and to engage in a respectful dialogue, without conditions, pressure or threats, based on sovereign equality, reciprocity and full respect for the independence, sovereignty and self-determination of the Cuban people.

           Nicaragua reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Cuba and calls for the numerous United Nations resolutions to be respected and implemented in order to put an end to this illegal policy against Cuba.

                     Niger

[Original: French]

[14 January 2026]

           The United States embargo against Cuba, which was enacted in February 1962 following nationalizations involving the expropriation of United States companies, and is still in force, remains one of the longest-standing unilateral sanctions regimes in the world.

           The Government of the Niger is deeply committed to respecting the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and reiterates that it has no intention of applying any laws or measures of any type whereby embargoes are imposed against a State, including the laws and measures referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           In addition, the Niger reaffirms its principled position in support of that resolution, as well as its adherence to the relevant positions affirmed by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the Group of 77 and China, among others, calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba.

           This blockade is causing great suffering for the Cuban people, hindering their economic and social development, and must therefore be urgently lifted.

           The Niger thus continues to offer its solidarity to the Cuban people and its support to the Republic of Cuba and trusts, once again, that it will be able to rely on the support of the international community for ending this unjust blockade, which has lasted far too long.

                     Nigeria

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its continued resolve to maintain friendly relations with all States and condemns the application of unilateral measures for the settlement of disputes between States. Nigeria reiterates its support for ending the embargo against Cuba and for the promotion of international cooperation among Member States. Nigeria believes that the easing of the embargo on Cuba would be a demonstration of peaceful settlement of disputes in the international system.

                     Norway

[Original: English]

[12 March 2026]

           The Government of Norway reaffirms its position in favour of General Assembly resolution 80/4. Norway does not promulgate or apply laws or measures of the kind referred to in the resolution. Norway does not apply trade or economic legislation that restricts or discourages trade with or investment in or from Cuba.

           Norway opposes the extraterritorial extension of unilateral measures against a third country. Norway regrets that the United States has not resumed its previous commitment to waiving Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and encourages the United States and Cuba to work for the normalization of bilateral relations with a view to bringing about the end of the embargo against Cuba.

           Norway also encourages the United States to remove Cuba from its designation as a State sponsor of terrorism.

                     Oman

[Original: English]

[23 March 2026]

           The Government of the Sultanate of Oman complies with and implements General Assembly resolution 80/4 and does not apply any laws and measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to the said resolution.

                     Pakistan

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           Pakistan is fully in observance of General Assembly resolution 80/4.

                     Panama

[Original: Spanish]

[25 March 2026]

           As a founding Member of the United Nations and a State that advocates peace, Panama maintains relations of friendship and cooperation with all States on the basis of inclusion and respect for the principles of justice and international law, as well as for the right to self-determination of peoples, respect for sovereignty and non‑intervention in matters that lie essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of States.

           Panama promotes and will continue to promote dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes, free trade and transparent international trade.

                     Papua New Guinea

[Original: English]

[27 April 2026]

           Papua New Guinea currently has no restrictive legislative, policy or other measures against Cuba but on the contrary encourages constructive and friendly relations between both countries consistent with the spirit and letter of the Charter of the United Nations and relevant international law. Any extraterritorial application of laws and regulations that infringe on the sovereignty of other United Nations Member States is inconsistent with the position of Papua New Guinea.

                     Peru

[Original: Spanish]

[15 April 2026)

           Peru reiterates its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to international law.

           Respect for sovereignty and the principle of non-interference must be accompanied by a continuous focus on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all countries, without distinction. The promotion and defence of human rights is, in effect, an obligation erga omnes. All States Members of the United Nations have the duty to promote and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate with the global system for ensuring the full enjoyment thereof.

           Peru considers that the economic, commercial and financial blockade cannot, under any circumstances, serve as a pretext to justify restrictions on or violations of fundamental freedoms. In this regard, Peru urges the Government of Cuba to address seriously and in good faith the recommendations made by United Nations bodies and mechanisms and take the necessary measures to ensure full respect and protection of the human dignity of all persons within its territory.

                     Philippines

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Philippines fully supports and reiterates its commitment to adhere to General Assembly resolution 80/4. The Philippines has not imposed and does not intend to impose any laws, regulations or measures that are contrary to resolution 80/4.

                     Qatar

[Original: Arabic]

2 March 2026

           The position of the State of Qatar remains unchanged with regard to the resolution, which it fully supports. Qatar firmly supports the rules and principles of international law and applies them in its foreign policy and fully complies with the purposes and principles of Charter of the United Nations. Qatar has consistently urged against the imposition of any unilateral coercive measures.

           Accordingly, the State of Qatar has not introduced or applied any laws or measures that are inconsistent with the resolution.

                     Republic of Korea

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Republic of Korea has not applied laws and measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4. The Government of the Republic of Korea reaffirms its support for the General Assembly resolutions adopted since 1999 calling for an end to the embargo against Cuba.

                     Republic of Moldova

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Republic of Moldova fully upholds the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and has never passed or applied laws and measures of the kind referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4 on the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

                     Russian Federation

[Original: Russian]

[24 March 2026]

           The Russian Federation reaffirms its principled position in favour of an immediate and complete end to the illegitimate United States blockade against the Republic of Cuba.

           The blockade of Cuba is a striking example of how Washington has elevated unilateral punitive measures against Governments not to their liking to the level of official State policy. It is clear that the United States is unsuccessfully attempting to breathe new life into the infamous “Monroe Doctrine” and to elevate illegal sanctions to the status of a universal tool for political blackmail. We would like to emphasize that a resolution expressing the international community’s solidarity with the just demands of the Cuban people has been adopted by a majority of the votes of the States Members of the United Nations for more than 30 years – since 1992.

           The blockade inflicts colossal economic damage (according to official Cuban data, this exceeded $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025 and has totalled more than $170 billion over its entire history), hinders the implementation of socioeconomic reforms and deprives the country of access to modern technologies, energy resources and investment, thereby preventing Havana from fully integrating into the global financial and trade architecture. As a result, the standard of living of Cuban citizens is declining and social tensions are being exacerbated. Moreover, the blockade is undermining international efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

           Washington is using flimsy pretexts to impose an energy blockade on the island, claiming that the Cuban Government’s policies pose an “exceptional threat” to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. The main goal is to economically “strangle” the island in the hope of bringing about a change in Cuba’s political system. The energy crisis, which arose as a result of the so-called national emergency declared by the United States in late January 2026, has further exacerbated the already dire situation faced by Cuban citizens.

           Russia believes that a definitive end to the blockade without preconditions will help to build a multipolar, just world order based on equality, mutual respect and adherence to international law. We also call for the removal of Cuba – which has an impeccable record as an active participant in international cooperation on counter-terrorism – from the notorious United States list of so-called State sponsors of terrorism.

           Together with the overwhelming majority of the international community, we call on the United States to cease its inhumane actions and to refrain from any use of force, as well as from plans to destabilize the domestic political situation in Cuba with the aim of bringing about an unconstitutional change of government in that country.

                     Rwanda

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The position of the Government of the Republic position regarding the resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba remains unchanged.

           The Government of Rwanda, guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, fully implements General Assembly resolution 80/4. The Government of Rwanda stresses that there are no legal or regulatory impediments to free transit or trade between Rwanda and Cuba.

                     Saint Kitts and Nevis

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to the tenets of international law and fervently upholds the principles stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations, which serve as the cornerstone of multilateralism. As geopolitical dynamics increasingly converge, Saint Kitts and Nevis calls for the definitive cessation of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on the Republic of Cuba by the United States of America for more than 60 years. Saint Kitts and Nevis also strongly advocates for the removal of Cuba from the United States Government list of State sponsors of terrorism.

           The persistence of this embargo systematically stifles Cuba’s socioeconomic trajectory. At the same time, recent measures targeting the Cuban medical brigades have grave implications for the delivery of vital health services in numerous developing nations, such as Saint Kitts and Nevis. Most critically, restrictions on fuel shipments to Cuba have worsened the island’s already fragile energy infrastructure. The resulting oil crisis has led to power grid collapses that compromise the delivery of healthcare, water sanitation and supply, food security, transportation and other vital services across the archipelago. Consequently, such measures create a humanitarian crisis that threatens the social and economic stability of the entire Caribbean region.

           Despite these mounting challenges, Cuba stands as one of the most reliable and steadfast partners of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The contributions of its medical brigade, alongside the transformative scholarship programme, have been instrumental in fortifying our healthcare infrastructure and expanding our human-resource capacities. In this regard, maintaining this robust partnership with Cuba remains of considerable importance to Saint Kitts and Nevis, given the profound and tangible benefits that it continues to yield for our people.

           The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis reiterates the value of open dialogue to alleviate the severe humanitarian consequences that the embargo imposes on the citizens and residents of Cuba. Diplomacy remains the most effective path to resolving differences; thus, it is hoped that such engagement can foster a more peaceful and constructive relationship between the United States and Cuba, both of which play important roles in the Western hemisphere.

           To this end, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirms wholeheartedly, its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4. In joining the international community, we likewise maintain that the provisions of General Assembly resolution 80/4, particularly regarding free trade and international cooperation, require universal observance.

                     Saint Lucia

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Government of Saint Lucia reaffirms its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among nations.

           The Government of Saint Lucia reaffirms its decades-long economic, educational, scientific and technical cooperation with Cuba. This enriched collaboration has been integral to the socioeconomic advancement and sustainability of Saint Lucia.

           The Government of Saint Lucia complies with international legal obligations and with the commitment to the principles of the sovereign equality of States. Saint Lucia has not promulgated any law, legislation or measure, or taken any other action, that would contravene the exercise of sovereignty by a Member State in its lawful interests or obstruct the freedom of commercial activity, trade or economic cooperation.

           Saint Lucia reaffirms its position that the extraterritorial application of national legislation runs contrary to the principles of international law, the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and peaceful coexistence among nations.

           The Government of Saint Lucia has consistently supported the relevant General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

                     Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

[Original: English]

[11 March 2026]

           The General Assembly, by virtue of resolution 80/4, once again signalled that the international community remains resolute in opposing the continuation of the blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States of America. From 1992, near-universal support has been recorded by way of these General Assembly resolutions, expressing a clear and long-standing position on the need for steps to repeal the measures that constitute the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. The support that this resolution has historically received underscores the continuing concern of Member States regarding the persistence of these measures and their adverse impacts.

           At the core of our position is the belief in the fundamental principles that underpin the multilateral system and enable a prosperous and peaceful coexistence in the civilized world, specifically, the sovereign equality of all States, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. The continued application of unilateral measures with extraterritorial effects causes serious concern, particularly when the consequences are borne primarily by the people of the affected nation. Lifting these measures would contribute to conditions conducive to dialogue and engagement, improved relations in our hemisphere and increased opportunities for economic and social development.

           Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reaffirms its commitment to the principles of multilateralism, international law and constructive engagement, and reiterates its solidarity with Cuba. We join the calls made by the majority of the United Nations membership for the end of the blockade and encourage all Member States to support efforts to pursue a more constructive path forward in the best interests of the Cuban people.

                     Samoa

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of the Independent State of Samoa reaffirms its full commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of international law, including the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation.

           The embargo on the people of Cuba must end. It is a relic of the cold war era. As a member of the United Nations family and as a small island developing State, Cuba deserves to be treated like other members, with respect, dignity and pragmatism in international relations.

           By restoring relations with Cuba, the United States stands to be in a much better place to engage in more constructive dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual concerns and thereby effect much-needed changes in their economic, social and security relations. Resuming travel and cultural exchanges between the United States and Cuba could also promote greater understanding and goodwill between the two peoples.

           On the economic front, opening trade with Cuba could create opportunities for both countries. Cuba has untapped markets for American goods and services, while United States businesses could benefit from investing in Cuba’s emerging economy.

           On humanitarian grounds, the embargo has had adverse effects on the Cuban people, limiting their access to essential goods such as food, medicine and other necessities. Lifting the embargo could alleviate the suffering of ordinary Cubans and improve their quality of life.

           In the current climate of mistrust and geopolitical manoeuvring, it is crucial that members of the United Nations family demonstrate humanity and goodwill in our joint efforts to achieve future resilient prosperity and leaving no one behind.

                     San Marino

[Original: English]

[4 February 2026]

           The Republic of San Marino has always and generally been against any imposition of any embargo. It is therefore against the imposition of the unilateral embargo against Cuba as a means of pressure and because of the serious repercussions on the populations.

                     Sao Tome and Principe

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           The Democratic Republic of Sao Toma and Principe and the Republic of Cuba have maintained, for decades, a relationship of friendship, cooperation and solidarity, based on mutual respect and the sharing of experiences in the fields of health, education and training. Sao Tome and Principe therefore reaffirms its support for all initiatives that favour constructive and peaceful solutions, emphasizing the importance of resolving any disputes between States exclusively through dialogue, respect for international law and recourse to appropriate multilateral mechanisms.

                     Saudi Arabia

[Original: English]

[28 April 2026]

           Saudi Arabia enjoys normal diplomatic and trade relations with the Republic of Cuba.

           Saudi Arabia has not applied laws or measures against Cuba that would prohibit economic, commercial or financial relations between Saudi Arabia and Cuba.

           Saudi Arabia is committed to the purpose and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and recalls and reaffirms its commitment to the rules and principles of international law.

                     Senegal

[Original: French]

[25 March 2026]

           Senegal reaffirms the need to lift any embargo that undermines the full enjoyment of social, economic and cultural rights by the populations of the countries concerned.

           Therefore, in accordance with its international obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, Senegal will continue to comply with the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on ending the embargo against Cuba.

                     Seychelles

[Original: English]

[15 January 2026]

           Seychelles expresses its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 advocating for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. This support reflects Seychelles’ commitment to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

           Seychelles believes that all nations should have the ability to exercise their sovereignty without undue external interference. As such, the country underscores its concern regarding measures affecting the sovereignty of States or the well-being of their populations. The continued embargo is regarded as a factor that is hindering the country’s development and the well-being of its people.

           Seychelles advocates for a constructive approach that could facilitate the removal of these restrictive measures; such move would not only provide opportunities for Cuba’s economic development, but also support the broader objective of fostering international cooperation and stability.

           In this regard, Seychelles encourages the pursuit of diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Cuba and the United States, based on mutual understanding and shared commitment to peace and global prosperity.

                     Sierra Leone

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Republic of Sierra Leone reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to the rules of international law. Recalling the cordial and fruitful bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Cuba, fostered over the years through solidarity and technical cooperation, and underscoring the importance of unhindered economic relations among Member States of the United Nations, Sierra Leone remains committed to international efforts aimed at bringing to an end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

           Mindful of the obligations of Member States under the Charter of the United Nations and their commitments under international law, which, inter alia, uphold the freedom of trade and navigation, Sierra Leone has never enacted, adopted or applied any laws or measures of a restrictive nature that are inconsistent with its international obligations.

           Sierra Leone remains committed to further strengthening the excellent relations between the two sister countries at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Sierra Leone has consistently maintained its support for all previous resolutions calling for an end to the United States blockade against Cuba and its people, and reiterates its call for the complete lifting of the embargo, which continues to gravely impact the lives and livelihoods of the Cuban people. Sierra Leone further reiterates its full and unreserved support for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Sierra Leone remains hopeful that ongoing diplomatic engagement between the United States and Cuba will lead to the lifting of the oil blockade imposed on Cuba and to the normalization of relations between the two countries, thereby fostering mutually beneficial socioeconomic and political cooperation.

                     Singapore

[Original: English]

[3 February 2026]

           The Government of Singapore reaffirms its support for General Assembly resolution 80/4. Singapore has consistently supported resolutions calling for an end to the United States’ trade embargo on Cuba since 1995 and has voted in their favour.

                     Solomon Islands

[Original: English]

[31 March 2026]

           Solomon Islands remains fully committed to respecting international law and reaffirms commitment to principles of sovereignty and non-interference. Furthermore, Solomon Islands does not support unilateral actions or measures that affect the economic and social well-being of another State Member of the United Nations. The economic and financial embargo placed by the United States of America on Cuba is a violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and undermines international law and the spirit of multilateralism.

           The embargo continues to impede Cuba’s progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has profound and multifaceted effects on Cuba’s socioeconomic development and human rights, restricting access to essential goods, services and technologies, and exacerbating poverty, food insecurity and health challenges.

           In line with the widespread call by the global community, Solomon Islands reiterates the call for the unconditional ending of the embargo by the United States on Cuba.

           Solomon Islands further calls for the normalization of relations in the name of peace and in line with the spirit and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.

                     South Africa

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           The Government of South Africa reaffirms its profound concern regarding the enduring economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba, which remains the foremost impediment to the country’s attainment of its development aspirations, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This unilateral policy continues to exacerbate socio‑economic hardship for the Cuban people, particularly the most vulnerable, and South Africa calls upon the United States to terminate these measures and engage Cuba in constructive and respectful dialogue, consistent with the principles of sovereign equality and non‑interference.

           South Africa also notes with deep concern recent geopolitical developments in the region that have compounded Cuba’s economic challenges.

           The United States embargo continues to restrict Cuba’s access to vital imports, including food, medicine and raw materials and to limit the country’s ability to fully benefit from tourism, cultural exchanges and professional cooperation. South Africa is particularly concerned about the extraterritorial application of unilateral sanctions, which deter third‑country trade and investment and undermine the expansion of mutually beneficial relations, including with South Africa.

           South Africa values its long-standing and multifaceted partnership with Cuba, which has matured into a model of South‑South cooperation. South Africa reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and honours the historic contributions of Cuba to the liberation of South Africa and the wider African continent.

           South Africa will continue to expand international solidarity beyond Latin America, mobilizing the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Group of 77 and the African Union, while upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law to protect sovereignty and economic autonomy.

           We continue to urge the United States to remove Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism and other punitive designations that impede financial and commercial engagement.

           South Africa joins the overwhelming majority of Member States in calling for the cessation of unilateral coercive measures that run counter to the purposes and principles of the Charter.

           We appeal to the international community to redouble its efforts to promote constructive and multilateral dialogue between Cuba and the United States, including through the appropriate United Nations mechanisms, in order to realize the objectives of previous General Assembly resolutions and to support the sustainable development, peace and prosperity of the Cuban people.

           South Africa reaffirms its enduring friendship with Cuba and its steadfast commitment to multilateralism, international law and the sovereign right of all nations to pursue development free from external pressure and unilateral sanctions.

                     South Sudan

[Original: English]

[5 May 2026]

           The Republic of South Sudan joins the majority of States Members of the United Nations and the African Union in calling for the immediate lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.

           South Sudan believes these unilateral measures violate international law, including the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs, and the right to self-determination and development. The embargo has severely hindered Cuba’s economic growth, obstructed social development and caused humanitarian consequences.

           South Sudan supports the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4, which calls for an end to the embargo. We recognize its international support and reaffirm our solidarity with the Cuban people.

           South Sudan urges the immediate and unconditional lifting of the embargo in the spirit of multilateralism, international cooperation and respect for national sovereignty.

                     Sri Lanka

[Original: English]

[2 February 2026]

           Sri Lanka does not approve of the use of unilateral economic measures against any country as they are inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Sri Lanka is of the view that the implementation of such measures impedes the rule of law, the transparency of international trade and the freedom of trade and navigation.

           Sri Lanka has not promulgated any laws and measures of the kind referred to in the provisions of General Assembly resolution 80/4. Unilateral sanctions imposed on Cuba have had harmful effects on civilian life, creating shortages of goods and services. They have also been ineffective in the promotion and protection of human rights of the targeted country.

           Sri Lanka has continuously supported the adoption of the resolutions on this item in the General Assembly and has taken the position that the embargo against Cuba needs to end.

                     Sudan

[Original: English]

[21 January 2026]

           The Sudan has fully and continuously supported and voted in favour of the annual General Assembly resolution calling for lifting the sanctions imposed on Cuba.

           The Government of the Republic of the Sudan pursues a policy of full respect for international law, the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the sovereign equality of States and non-interference in their internal affairs. Consistent with its principled position, the Sudan opposes the imposition of sanctions on developing countries because of their devastating impact on the efforts of those countries to achieve sustainable development and because they constitute a violation of the Charter.

           Like Cuba, the peoples of the Sudan have been suffering tremendously from unilateral coercive measures for more than 15 years. These sanctions impede any progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and integration into the international monetary system. The health sector, along with other sectors, has been hit hard.

           The Government of the Sudan reaffirms that it does not promulgate or apply any laws or measures that could, by being applied outside its own national borders, affect the sovereignty of any State. The Government of the Sudan calls for the repeal of laws that impose such measures.

                     Suriname

[Original: English]

[6 March 2026]

           The Republic of Suriname reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for international law, particularly in this pivotal year marking the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations, and to ongoing efforts to strengthen multilateralism amid escalating global challenges. Suriname is of the considered view that sovereign equality and the right of nations to develop in accordance with their own charted paths should be always respected. Adherence to these principles is of the utmost importance to the maintenance of a stable international order.

           The decades-long commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba – despite repeated condemnations on the part of the General Assembly, most recently in resolution 80/4 – remains contrary to those principles and norms and is counterproductive in trade relations. Its impact on the Cuban people has been significant, affecting their access to essential goods and services, including healthcare and education.

           Suriname calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the embargo against Cuba, which continues to undermine Cuba’s sovereign right to development, hampers all sectors of its economy, deprives the Cuban people of using the full potential of its resources, and provides the single biggest challenge to the full development of Cuba.

           Furthermore, it has been the most vulnerable members of Cuban society, such as women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, who have suffered the most severe consequences of this policy.

           Suriname expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba and places on record that the Government of Suriname has never promulgated or applied laws or measures affecting the economic, commercial and financial rights of the people and Government of Cuba, as referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4.

                     Switzerland

[Original: French]

[28 January 2026]

           As in previous years, Switzerland supported General Assembly resolution 80/4 in 2025. Switzerland considers that the economic, financial and commercial measures taken against the Republic of Cuba have negative repercussions for the living conditions of the Cuban people and exacerbate economic hardships. For these reasons, they should be repealed.

                     Syrian Arab Republic

[Original: English]

[7 May 2026]

           The Syrian Arab Republic reaffirms its commitment to the principles and resolutions of the United Nations – particularly the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly – emphasizing that respect for these resolutions constitutes a fundamental pillar for the stability of the international order. It further underscores the importance of resolving international disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and its principles.

           Syria affirms the importance of supporting efforts aimed at development and economic stability at the international level, thereby enabling States to enhance their developmental capacities and realize the aspirations of their peoples within a framework of international cooperation based on mutual respect.

           Syria is of the view that the addressing of international issues – including matters of an economic nature – should be conducted through dialogue and mutual understanding and within relevant international frameworks in a manner that contributes to fostering stability and cooperation among States.

           Syria reiterates its commitment to strengthening international relations on the basis of joint cooperation and mutual respect and emphasizes the importance of building bridges of dialogue and understanding as a pathway towards achieving a more stable and balanced international order.

                     Tajikistan

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of Tajikistan reaffirms its position in support of General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           Tajikistan stands by the principles of international law and supports the right of all nations to choose their own development paths freely. Tajikistan believes that, in line with principles like the equality of states, non-interference in internal matters and the freedom of trade, the ongoing economic and financial measures against Cuba are harming the Cuban people’s living conditions and hindering the Cuban government’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

           Given the current instability in international relations, which has led to increased poverty and unemployment, the imposition of sanctions and embargoes is more unjustifiable than ever. Such actions go against the core principles of international law, including the equality of States, respect for sovereignty, non‑interference in internal matters and peaceful coexistence.

           Tajikistan continues to advocate a peaceful and cooperative international environment where all nations can pursue their development in accordance with their national interests and in line with global norms.

                     Thailand

[Original: English]

[19 February 2026]

           Since 1994, the Royal Thai Government has consistently supported General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the trade and economic embargo against Cuba, including the recent General Assembly resolution 80/4, in view of the fact that the embargo has undermined Cuba’s socioeconomic development and caused suffering for its people.

           Thailand opposes the imposition of extraterritorial national laws on other States, which contravenes the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Thailand has neither legal provisions nor domestic measures of such a nature and continues to discourage the use of such laws.

                     Timor-Leste

[Original: English]

[12 March 2026]

           The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste fully adheres to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the principles of the freedom of international trade and navigation. Timor-Leste reaffirms its position of support for General Assembly resolution 80/4 and reiterates that it has not promulgated or applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to therein.

           The Government of Timor-Leste is strongly opposed to the continued adoption and the application of such extraterritorial measures and supports the immediate and unconditional lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. It is our belief that the imposition of the said measures will hinder the ability of Cuba to attain the Sustainable Development Goals in the most effective and timely manner, as well as weakening its capacity to implement the rule of law.

                     Togo

[Original: French]

[15 January 2026]

           In keeping with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Togo has always strived to promote respect for the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and for non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs.

           It supports unreservedly the principle of freedom of trade and navigation, which is enshrined in numerous international legal instruments. Togo systematically rejects the use of any unilateral measures to exert pressure on States.

           It has never promulgated or applied any laws or regulations that curtail the sovereignty of other States or the legitimate interests of entities or individuals under their jurisdiction. The Government of Togo has always supported the initiatives taken by the Government of Cuba and other actors to end the blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

           The blockade must end, as that would contribute to further advances towards the restoration of economic and trade relations between the two countries, as well as the rapprochement that began in 2015. Togo fully supports efforts to achieve that goal.

                     Tonga

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The Kingdom of Tonga adheres fully to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the principles of sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs and the freedom of international trade and navigation. Tonga has not promulgated or applied any laws or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to General Assembly resolution 80/4. Tonga maintains friendly and diplomatic relations with Cuba.

                     Trinidad and Tobago

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago remains guided by a foreign policy that is pragmatic, balanced and responsive to contemporary global realities. Led by a strong commitment to multilateralism and collective responsibility, Trinidad and Tobago supports collective and practical approaches to addressing contemporary global challenges that affect peace, stability and development.

           In this regard, Trinidad and Tobago recognizes the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation in addressing complex international challenges. While acknowledging that States may pursue differing policy approaches in accordance with their national priorities, Trinidad and Tobago maintains the view that challenges of a global and systemic nature are best addressed through engagement, cooperation and sustained dialogue within multilateral frameworks.

           Since the establishment of formal ties in 1972, Trinidad and Tobago and the Republic of Cuba have maintained cordial diplomatic relations. Given the States’ shared realities of the inherent challenges faced by small island developing States, and given the importance of international cooperation in advancing sustainable development objectives, Trinidad and Tobago has supported regional and international efforts that encourage constructive engagement and dialogue among all countries.

           Continued dialogue among the parties concerned is welcomed by Trinidad and Tobago, which encourages efforts aimed at fostering understanding and the gradual normalization of relations. Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its support for peaceful, diplomatic approaches that promote stability, development and cooperation in the hemisphere.

           In this context, Trinidad and Tobago reaffirms its long-standing support for the resolutions of the General Assembly that call for engagement and dialogue on this matter and highlights its belief that sustained interaction among all stakeholders remains essential to achieving the objectives of the resolution.

                     Tunisia

[Original: French]

[24 February 2026]

           Tunisia reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. In that context, Tunisia supported General Assembly resolution 80/4 and all previous Assembly resolutions calling for the lifting of the blockade imposed against Cuba.

           Tunisia does not apply unilateral laws or measures with extraterritorial effects. It therefore has not promulgated or applied any laws or measures against Cuba prohibiting economic, commercial or financial relations between the two countries.

                     Türkiye

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Republic of Türkiye does not have any laws or measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to General Assembly resolution 80/4. Türkiye expresses concern at such measures, which adversely affect the living standards of people and free trade between States.

           Türkiye reaffirms its adherence to the principles of freedom of trade and navigation in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Türkiye maintains its stance that differences and problems between States should be settled through dialogue and negotiations.

                     Turkmenistan

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The Government of Turkmenistan supports the adoption of General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           The unilateral blockade of the Republic of Cuba hinders the development of the Cuban economy and creates difficulties in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

           Turkmenistan focuses on the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non‑interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation, including those enshrined in many international legal documents.

           Turkmenistan is in favour of establishing a constructive dialogue with the active participation of the relevant United Nations agencies in resolving issues between the parties as a mechanism for promoting peace.

                     Tuvalu

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The Government of Tuvalu continues to embrace the principles outlined in the Charter of the United Nations, emphasizing solidarity, cooperation and equitable relations among nations. In line with this, Tuvalu stands firmly in favour of lifting the economic, commercial, immigration and financial restrictions imposed on Cuba. It is our belief that such measures hinder rather than foster the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals by the Cuban Government and its people. The recent strides towards improving relations between the United States and Cuba are commendable, aligning with the Charter’s emphasis on sovereignty and equality among nations and peoples.

           Tuvalu has neither enacted nor enforced any legislation or measures targeting Cuba. It stands in full support of the lifting of the embargo against Cuba, echoing the persistent and unanimous call from the majority of United Nations member states. Such a move would assist the Republic of Cuba in strengthening and expanding its collaboration with small island developing States such as Tuvalu.

                     Uganda

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Uganda has cordial bilateral relations and close diplomatic ties with the people and Government of Cuba, in accordance with the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

           In the spirit of friendship, cooperation and solidarity with the people of Cuba, Uganda remains concerned about the negative impact of the decades-old extraterritorial economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, which have impeded the full achievement of economic and social development in the country.

           All countries have an inalienable right to development. Based on this conviction, Uganda rejects the United States of America embargo against Cuba as a violation of the rights to sovereignty, development and well-being of the Cuban people.

           Uganda condemns the escalation of hostile actions by the United States against Cuba, including the reinstatement of Cuba on the arbitrary list of States alleged to support terrorism, a designation that shows absolute contempt for the truth. Similarly, the total blockade of oil imports to Cuba by the United States has created a humanitarian crisis, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions of the Cuban people. Uganda calls for an immediate end to these hostile policies, which aim only to further isolate Cuba and punish its people.

                     United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

[Original: English]

[24 March 2026]

           The United Kingdom calls upon the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. We consider the embargo to be harmful and counterproductive. While it is not the cause of all the problems that Cuba faces, the embargo negatively affects the living standards of the Cuban people and impedes the political and economic development of the country. The interruption of fuel supplies to Cuba have exacerbated an already highly fragile economic situation, with serious humanitarian implications. These pressures have increased systemic risks affecting access to healthcare, water and sanitation, as well as food production and distribution, logistics and education, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable.

           The extraterritorial effects of the embargo – in particular the activation of Titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act – prevent and restrict legitimate and lawful business by foreign companies, including British companies, in Cuba. The United Kingdom considers the extraterritorial effects of Titles III and IV to be contrary to international law and will continue to defend vigorously the right of British businesses to conduct trade with, and invest in, Cuba. To protect the interest of natural or legal persons resident in the United Kingdom against the extraterritorial effects of the Helms-Burton legislation, the United Kingdom implemented blocking legislation, which prohibits compliance with the Helms-Burton Act and includes provisions for counterclaims to be brought against United States plaintiffs in United Kingdom courts.

           The United Kingdom shares the serious concerns of many of our partners regarding restrictions on civil, political and other human rights in Cuba. We will continue to raise those concerns directly with the Government of Cuba and publicly. The United Kingdom considers that dialogue and engagement with Cuba and the Cuban people are the most effective ways to encourage progress in Cuba and to promote greater respect for human rights of all kinds. We consider that the United States embargo has the effect of making economic reforms, which will serve the best interests of the Cuban people, more difficult to achieve.

                     United Republic of Tanzania

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Tanzania reaffirms its principled position in calling for the immediate and unequivocal lifting of the embargo imposed on Cuba. This long-standing measure continues to present significant economic and social challenges, restricting Cuba’s ability to achieve its full development potential and contradicts the principles of international law, fundamental human rights and the spirit of multilateral cooperation.

           The recent threat of a targeted invasion against Cuba underscores, with growing concern, the extent to which the fundamental principles of respect for territorial integrity and sovereign equality of states continue to be challenged. Such developments raise serious questions regarding adherence to the core principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and point to a troubling persistence of actions that risk undermining international law, stability and mutual trust among nations.

           As a dedicated advocate of the United Nations and its core values, the United Republic of Tanzania remains firmly committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and an open, rules-based global trading system. Tanzania opposes the use of unilateral coercive measures against any Member State and reiterates its unwavering solidarity with Cuba and all nations facing similar constraints, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue, engagement and respect for international norms.

           Tanzania and Cuba enjoy a strong and historically beneficial partnership, particularly in education, healthcare and cultural exchange. Tanzania believes that lifting the embargo would create further opportunities to deepen cooperation, foster economic growth and strengthen South-South collaboration. It remains steadfast in its solidarity with Cuba and trusts that the principles of justice, fairness and multilateralism will ultimately lead to the full normalization of Cuba’s economic and trade relations with the international community.

                     Uruguay

[Original: Spanish]

[27 January 2026]

           With regard to General Assembly resolution 80/4, in particular paragraph 4, it is worth noting that Uruguay has always strictly respected and observed the principles of international law and all the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

           Our country has not promulgated or applied any provisions affecting the sovereign equality or decisions of other States, respecting the principle of non‑intervention in the internal affairs of other States.

           Uruguay has strongly condemned any theory that supports or justifies the extraterritorial application of domestic laws, the sole exception being those that form part of international law, primarily in relation to protective jurisdiction and universal jurisdiction.

           Our country rejects any direct or indirect mechanism constituting unilateral action by one State to impose sanctions for sovereign decisions taken by another State in the political, economic, commercial, social, cultural or other arena.

           Uruguay believes that the sanctions imposed and the extraterritorial laws enacted against Cuba are not only a violation of international law but also have caused harm to the economic development of Cuba and are a way of depriving the Cuban people of basic human rights that ensure decent living conditions, as well as of inflicting incalculable damage on their dignity and sovereignty.

                     Uzbekistan

[Original: English]

[19 January 2026]

           The Republic of Uzbekistan supports General Assembly resolution 80/4 and reaffirms its commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as to the norms of international law.

           Uzbekistan fully complies with the provisions of the above-mentioned resolution and has never promulgated or applied laws or measures of the kind referred to in its preamble.

                     Vanuatu

[Original: English]

[4 March 2026]

           The Republic of Vanuatu formally expresses its objections to the unilateral coercive measures imposed against Cuba, referred to in General Assembly resolution 80/4. Vanuatu has underscored its commitment to maintaining economic relations with Cuba and has reiterated its stance against measures that contravene the charter of the United Nations and International law. Furthermore, Vanuatu has not promulgated or applied laws or measures against Cuba that would prohibit economic, commercial or financial relations between Vanuatu and Cuba.

                     Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

[Original: Spanish]

[25 March 2026]

           The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Republic of Cuba, in a context marked by the persistence of restrictive measures that continue to affect its economic and social development and the well-being of its people.

           As a country that has been subject to unilateral coercive measures, Venezuela has first-hand experience of the adverse effects of such measures, particularly in sensitive areas such as health, food security, infrastructure and access to development financing.

           In accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, Venezuela reiterates its concern about the application of extraterritorial measures, as well as about provisions that hinder the normal conduct of Cuba’s economic and financial relations with the international community.

           In this regard, Venezuela believes that lifting such measures is a necessary step towards fostering an environment of greater cooperation, understanding and mutual respect among States.

           Furthermore, Venezuela believes that removing Cuba from the list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism would significantly help to build trust and facilitate the development of a constructive dialogue based on respect for sovereignty and non‑interference in internal affairs.

           In accordance with the General Assembly’s recurring resolutions, adopted by an overwhelming majority, Venezuela calls upon the Government of the United States of America to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba and to review those measures that contravene the principles of international law.

           Venezuela reaffirms that the full restoration of international law, respect for the sovereign equality of States and the elimination of unilateral coercive measures are essential elements for building fair and balanced international relations.

           Lastly, Venezuela advocates strengthening political dialogue, international cooperation and solidarity among peoples as essential means of promoting sustainable development and the well-being of Cuba.

                     Viet Nam

[Original: English]

[2 February 2026]

           For more than three decades since 1992, the General Assembly has annually adopted resolutions entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” These resolutions have consistently received near-unanimous support, reflecting the clear, firm and enduring will of the international community calling for the termination of the embargo against Cuba.

           Viet Nam remains deeply concerned that the prolonged blockade and embargo have continued to cause severe and far-reaching adverse impacts on Cuba’s socioeconomic development, while further aggravating humanitarian and economic hardships faced by the Cuban people. In particular, the re-inclusion of Cuba on the United States’ list of State sponsors of terrorism has further intensified the adverse impacts of the blockade, severely constraining Cuba’s legitimate bilateral cooperation and its ability to participate fully and effectively in international cooperation.

           Viet Nam once again reaffirms its enduring friendship, close cooperation and unwavering solidarity with the brotherly Cuban people. Viet Nam also calls upon the international community to intensify collective efforts to assist Cuba in overcoming the grave consequences of the illegal blockade and embargo. For our part, Viet Nam has implemented a range of practical support measures for Cuba, including the provision of credit to enable Cuba to purchase more than 400,000 tons of rice; the implementation of several projects supporting rice, maize and fisheries production in Cuba; and the mobilization of public donations in support of Cuba amounting to over 657 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately $25 million). Vietnamese enterprises have also invested in and contributed to economic activities in Cuba in essential sectors, such as agricultural production, consumer goods, construction materials, renewable energy and trade.

                     Yemen

[Original: English]

[5 February 2026]

           The Republic of Yemen reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and to the rules of international law, including respect for national sovereignty, the prohibition of the use of force or aggression, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and the settlement of disputes through peaceful means.

           Yemen expresses its full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General aimed at promoting the effective implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and reiterates the importance of upholding its provisions consistently with international law and the purposes of the Charter.

           For more than four decades, Yemen has maintained a historic and fraternal relationship with the Republic of Cuba, founded on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared aspirations. These long-standing ties have been strengthened through bilateral cooperation in fields, including diplomacy, economic and trade relations, culture, education and health.

           Yemen highly values this constructive partnership and remains committed to further enhancing and expanding cooperation with Cuba, in a spirit of friendship and mutual benefit and in the interest of advancing the well-being and development of the peoples of both countries.

                     Zambia

[Original: English]

[27 March 2026]

           The Government of the Republic of Zambia wishes to reaffirm its opposition to unilateral coercive measures by any State Member of the United Nations in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law.

           The Zambian Government calls upon all nations to uphold the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and refrain from promulgating measures that hinder the freedom of trade and navigation of Cuba. The Cuban people continue to suffer as a result of the long-standing economic, commercial and financial embargo by the United States, making it difficult for Cuba to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

           Zambia strongly encourages the promotion of solidarity, cooperation and friendly relations that will promote trade and development and beneficial partnerships for the people of Cuba.

                     Zimbabwe

[Original: English]

[13 March 2026]

           The unjustified unilateral sanctions imposed on Cuba are a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and have caused untold suffering for the Cuban people for far too long. The embargo is inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which emphasize the right to self-determination and sovereign equality among States.

           Access to social services and basic human rights, such as healthcare, education and infrastructure has been restricted, severely undermining the capacity of the Cuban Government to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

           The latest tightening of the blockade, including restrictions on oil imports and financial transactions has sharply deepened Cuba’s energy and economic crisis, causing widespread fuel shortages, prolonged power outages and disrupting essential services like transport and healthcare. The humanitarian crisis worsens each day, with the people of Cuba paying with their lives.

           On its part, Zimbabwe continues to faithfully implement General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the blockade imposed on Cuba, including 80/4.

           Zimbabwe reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional removal of the egregious blockade imposed on Cuba, to allow its Government and people to pursue sustainable development and prosperity, unimpeded. Zimbabwe calls on the international community to adhere to the Charter of the United Nations and to continue to stand in solidarity to demand an end to this blockade.

                     Holy See

[Original: English]

[6 March 2026]

           The Holy See has never drawn up or applied economic, commercial or financial laws or measures against Cuba. On the contrary, it has maintained a consistent policy calling for an end to the embargo against Cuba, while appealing for the consolidation of mutually beneficial relations between Cuba and the entire international community and for a meaningful participation of civil society by opening new avenues of dialogue and strengthening existing ones.

           The Holy See hopes to see as soon as possible an end to the embargo that for decades has had humanitarian consequences especially on those in the most vulnerable situation in Cuba and has caused Cuba’s economic isolation. The end of the embargo will contribute to more harmonious and fraternal relations between the people of Cuba and those of the United States of America.

           The Holy See urges both Cuba and the United States to pursue unwaveringly the process of normalizing their relations, while encouraging their respective political leaders to assume their responsibility in leading this process through an effective dialogue, in order to avoid any action that could increase the suffering of the Cuban people.

                     State of Palestine

[Original: English]

[14 April 2026]

           The State of Palestine reaffirms its full and principled solidarity with the Republic of Cuba and the people of Cuba against the economic, commercial and financial embargo that continues to be imposed on it by the United States of America, and joins the overwhelming majority of nations in calling for an immediate end to this prolonged, unjust embargo that has caused so much loss and so many challenges and hardships for Cuba and the Cuban people.

           The State of Palestine – which continues to suffer the vast and destructive socioeconomic, humanitarian, developmental, political, security and environmental impacts of 59 years of an illegal colonial occupation, compounded by the ongoing inhumane siege on the Gaza Strip, imposed by Israel, the occupying Power, in grave breach of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, and with dire consequences for our people and all dimensions of our society – reiterates its firm opposition to the punitive embargo and unilateral coercive measures imposed on Cuba. We reaffirm our unequivocal support for the global calls and diplomatic efforts to bring an end to this embargo, which continues to detrimentally affect Cuba and undermine the rights of the Cuban people, including their rights to self-determination and development.

           The State of Palestine reaffirms its principled position in support of General Assembly resolution 80/4 and all other relevant United Nations resolutions, as well as its adherence to the relevant positions affirmed in this regard by the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China, among others, calling for an end to the embargo on Cuba. We urge serious efforts to implement resolution 80/4, aimed at upholding international law and respect for the sovereignty and independence of States and the freedom of commerce and navigation.

           We regret the intensification of the embargo against Cuba and join the international community’s calls for the mobilization and acceleration of political dialogue to bring the embargo to an immediate end, allowing for unimpeded Cuban trade and normal economic activity, essential for the sustainable development that Cuba and all nations are entitled to and need in order to promote the prosperity and ensure the stability of their peoples and countries, objectives that have become even more urgent in light of increasing instability and vulnerability being experienced by all nations as a result of proliferating global shocks.

           The State of Palestine, guided by and fully adherent to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, affirms that it has never promulgated or applied laws or measures of the kind referred to in resolution 80/4. The State of Palestine, which enjoys full diplomatic relations with Cuba, reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and Government and will continue working to strengthen the political, economic, social and cultural relations and historic cooperation and friendship between our countries and peoples.

        III.   Replies received from organs and agencies of the United Nations system

                     Department of Economic and Social Affairs

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

                            Unilateral economic measures

           Since 1983, when the Second Committee of the General Assembly adopted its first resolution on economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion (resolution 38/197), the Secretary-General has been requested to compile information, monitor the imposition of unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion and study the impact of such measures on the affected countries. The most recent report (A/80/415) was published in September 2025.

           In the aforementioned report, inputs from Member States and international organizations, including United Nations entities, regional commissions and United Nations country teams through the offices of resident coordinators, were summarized. While views diverged between Member States, several expressed strong disagreement with the continued use of unilateral economic measures, noting that such measures are inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. They emphasized that unilateral economic measures contravene international law and undermine the freedom of international trade, navigation and finance.

           Based on the submissions received, Member States highlighted the wide-ranging adverse effects of unilateral economic measures on the functioning of the international trading and financial systems, including restrictions on transit and access to global markets. They reported that these measures not only constrain key economic sectors and financial operations, but also impede progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and exacerbate humanitarian conditions.

           The impact of unilateral economic measures is transmitted through several channels. Direct restrictions on access to international markets, financial systems and essential goods, such as medicines, fuel and technological inputs, undermine public services, particularly in health, education and infrastructure. They reduce export revenues, limit foreign investment and weaken the capacity of States to maintain social programmes. Constraints on technology transfer, fertilizers and energy inputs further depress agricultural productivity, food security and industrial development. These effects are felt most acutely by vulnerable populations, who face rising living costs and declining access to basic services. In some cases, Member States reported increases in poverty and inequality linked to the cumulative impact of these measures.

           Member States also described significant secondary effects. Overcompliance by international banks and companies, disruptions in supply chains and the indirect impact of measures imposed on neighbouring countries or major trading partners all contribute to reduced bilateral trade, lower remittance flows, diminished tourism and shrinking fiscal space.

           Within this broader context, the contributions received from United Nations entities and the Government of Cuba indicate that the negative impact of unilateral economic measures is particularly severe in the case of Cuba. Measures restricting the supply of fuel, limiting access to income from foreign sources and subjecting international medical cooperation agreements to heightened scrutiny have placed substantial pressure on the country’s sustainable development. Many of these restrictions operate extraterritorially, relying on deterrent or punitive mechanisms that affect third-country entities and further isolate the Cuban economy from global markets.

           As a result, Cuba has faced extraordinary economic strain, reflected in declining consumption levels, reduced availability of essential goods and a deterioration in the general well-being of the population. These pressures have hindered the country’s economic and social development, compounding existing vulnerabilities and constraining its ability to pursue national development priorities.

                            Economic situation and prospects

           Cuba is experiencing a severe and deepening economic crisis, characterized by several consecutive years of economic contraction, persistent shortages of essential goods and a continued erosion of real incomes. Economic activity has weakened amid structural constraints, limited access to external finance, tightening external conditions and long-standing challenges that weigh on investment and employment creation. United States sanctions and financial restrictions, including the trade embargo, remain a significant external constraint, limiting access to credit, trade finance and remittance flows, and contributing to foreign exchange shortages.

           The recent tightening of United States restrictions affecting fuel shipments, maritime transport and related financial transactions – effectively limiting access to fuel imports – is, together with reduced oil deliveries from key partners, further straining the economy. Fuel shortages and recurring power outages have disrupted transport, food distribution, industrial production and public services, affecting key sectors such as tourism, mining and agriculture. Continued constraints on fuel imports are exacerbating humanitarian pressures as prolonged electricity outages and service interruptions increasingly affect households. In response to these challenges, international organizations and several countries are providing humanitarian assistance, including food, medical supplies and energy equipment and generators.

           Aggregate gross domestic product remains below pre-pandemic levels, with output contracting in both 2024 and 2025. The decline reflects ongoing shortages of imported inputs, weak tourism receipts, energy constraints and entrenched structural bottlenecks. Annual inflation – 12.3% in February 2026 – remains high, though lower than earlier peaks. Price dynamics are driven by limited supply, currency depreciation and elevated import costs, particularly for food, given the country’s heavy reliance on external sources. Fiscal deficits are sizeable and largely financed domestically, adding to price pressures. Limited access to credit continues to weigh on private investment and restrain productive capacity expansion.

           Exchange rate distortions remain a major structural challenge. Multiple exchange rates and a large gap between official and informal markets weaken price signals, complicating macroeconomic management and reducing the effectiveness of policy measures. The external sector remains fragile. Export revenues and tourism receipts remain below historical levels, and remittances have shown limited dynamism and remain subject to regulatory and financial constraints. As a result, foreign exchange shortages will continue to weigh on economic prospects.

           The economic crisis is increasingly affecting social conditions. Shortages of food, medicines and basic services, together with declining purchasing power and repeated power outages, have contributed to rising poverty and one of the largest migration waves in recent decades. Emigration could affect the country’s labour supply, demographics and medium-term growth prospects.

                     Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

                    I.     Escalation of United States sanctions against Cuba (2025–2026)

           During 2025 and early 2026, the United States introduced more than 50 restrictive measures. Cuba was kept on the list of State sponsors of terrorism, the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act was lifted and National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 was reinstated and updated.

                   1.     Tightening of sanctions

           The “Cuba restricted list”, reinstated on 31 January 2025, identifies entities controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence or security services – including the Grupo de Administración Empresarial and its subsidiaries, which control a significant share of the tourism, retail and hard-currency-earning activities in Cuba – and prohibits direct financial transactions by United States citizens with such entities. On 30 June 2025, the list was expanded to include military-controlled Cuban hotels, effective 14 July 2025. The designation as a State sponsor of terrorism exposes third-country banks and firms to secondary sanctions.

           The lifting of the Title III suspension exposed foreign companies operating in Cuba to lawsuits in United States courts, prompting European, Canadian and Latin American firms in the tourism, mining and energy sectors to scale back operations. An executive order of 4 June 2025 imposed partial travel restrictions on Cuban nationals, suspending B-1, B-2, F, M and J visas, and was broadened on 16 December 2025. The updated National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 of 30 June 2025 instructed agencies to end transactions benefiting the Government of Cuba, strengthen the tourism ban and prohibit transactions with Cuban State entities.

                   2.     Declaration of national emergency and tariffs against oil providers

           On 29 January 2026, an executive order declared a national emergency with respect to Cuba under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, establishing additional ad valorem duties on imports from any country supplying oil to Cuba. On 20 February 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Act does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The Administration responded with a global tariff under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 – initially 10%, raised to 15% – for a 150-day period.

                   3.     Oil supply cut

           Following the capture of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in January 2026, oil shipments from that country were halted. Mexico, which had been a leading supplier of oil to Cuba in 2025, announced that it would provide humanitarian aid in the form of non-oil essential goods. On 4 March 2026, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the United States prohibited any deposit of foreign funds in Cuban-owned banks. In late January 2026, Cuba had enough oil reserves for 15 to 20 days. The fuel shortage triggered international flight suspensions; Cuba notified airlines that airplane fuel would be unavailable at nine airports until 11 March 2026 and Air Canada, Air France and Russian airlines suspended services.

                   4.     Pressure on Cuban medical missions

           The United States linked Cuba to a tier 3 ranking in its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, characterizing the island’s medical export programme as forced labour. Some 26,000 Cuban medical workers were serving in more than 55 countries at the start of 2025. In February and March 2026, Guatemala announced the gradual withdrawal of its 412-strong medical brigade, around 170 Cuban doctors and technicians left Honduras after the cooperation agreement was not renewed, and Jamaica announced the discontinuation of its 50-year medical cooperation partnership with Cuba, requiring the departure from Jamaica of around 280 Cuban health professionals. Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas and Dominica had modified their arrangements earlier.

                  II.     Impact of the embargo on the Cuban economy

                   1.     Macroeconomic conditions and gross domestic product growth

           No official gross domestic product (GDP) figures have been published for 2025. The Centre for Research on the Cuban Economy projects a contraction of 5.0% and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean estimates a decline of 3.8%, the lowest in the region. In December 2025, the President of Cuba reported a fall of more than 4.0% by the end of September (see table 1).

                            Table 1

                            Cuba: annual gross domestic product growth (2019–2025)

(Percentages)

Source: National Office of Statistics and Information of Cuba; Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

   ᵃ  Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean estimate.

                   2.     Exports

           In 2025, Cuban exports amounted to $8.847 billion, a sum that is $792 million below 2024 and well under the record in 2018 of $13.122 billion.

                   3.     Foreign direct investment

           By the end of the first half of 2025, foreign direct investment was estimated at $600 million to $700 million, down from approximately $800 million a year earlier; estimates suggest that between $2 billion and 2.5 billion per year would be needed for 5% growth.

                   4.     Tourism

           International tourist arrivals in 2025 (1.8 million) fell by 17.8% from 2024, representing barely 40% of the 4.7 million recorded in 2017 and 2018. The largest declines were among visitors from Germany (49.5%), the Russian Federation (29.0%), Spain (28.5%) and France (26.0%). In March 2026, total arrivals fell a further 48.0% year-on-year, with marked drops among visitors from the United States (56.8%) and Canada (54.2%) (see table 2).

                            Table 2

                            Cuba: tourist arrivals, March 2025–March 2026

Source: National Office of Statistics and Information of Cuba; Office for Identification, Immigration and Foreign Nationals, Ministry of the Interior of Cuba.

                   5.     Banking and financial system

           Between March 2024 and February 2025, 40 foreign banks (27 European, 6 from the United States and 7 others) refused to do business with Cuban banks, affecting 140 transactions worth $169.5 million. Mandatory use of third-country currencies and reliance on costlier alternative channels increase intermediation costs. PayPal, Visa and Mastercard remain unavailable to Cuban citizens.

                   6.     Access to advanced technology

           Cuba is denied access to United States medicines, medical equipment and technologies, or those containing more than 10% United States components, and must turn to third-party markets at higher prices. For the period from March 2024 to February 2025, the Cuban essential medicines list contained 651 items, of which 69% are affected by the embargo and 56% are out of stock. The Torricelli Act prohibits sales of biotechnology and pharmaceutical products to the Cuban biotechnology industry, which, in the period from March 2024 to February 2025, caused sectoral losses of $129.27 million. Cuban scientists have been banned from 21 United States National Institutes of Health biomedical databases. This ban caused losses in the information and communications technology sector amounting to an estimated $78 million. Platforms such as Adobe, Zoom, Cisco Webex and WeTransfer remain blocked. The America First Investment Policy of February 2025 designates Cuba as a “foreign adversary”.

                   7.     Energy crisis and fuel access

           Cuba is in an unprecedented energy crisis that has worsened since January 2026. In addition to multiple nationwide blackouts since 2024, daily multi-hour outages remained widespread; in early March 2026, approximately 6.7 million people – two thirds of the population – were without power. Also in early March 2026, domestic crude production was around 32,000 barrels per day, whereas approximately 100,000 are needed for pre-crisis activity, and electricity transmission and distribution losses exceed 22%. The Government has announced energy rationing, a four-day public sector working week, expanded teleworking and reduced public transport. Between 31 December 2025 and 29 April 2026, the Cuban peso depreciated by 17.2% on the informal market, which points to further inflationary pressures.

                 III.     Economic cost of the embargo

           According to the Government of Cuba, between March 2024 and February 2025, economic losses from the embargo amounted to $7.556 billion (79.4% of 2024 exports), 49% above the previous period ($5.057 billion).

                            Table 3

                            Cuba: estimate of the economic losses caused by the United States embargo

Source: Government of Cuba, report on the effects of the embargo.

                 IV.     Structural weaknesses of the Cuban economy

                   1.     Import dependence and low domestic production

           Cuba is highly dependent on imports of food, fuel and production inputs. The agricultural sector remains inefficient and restricted by the embargo, with demand for food outstripping domestic production.

                   2.     Fiscal deficit and inflation

           The fiscal deficit stood at 7.3% of GDP in 2024 and 6.4% in 2025. At the end of 2025, inflation stood at 14.07%, down from 24.88% at the end of 2024, with the highest rates in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (69.82%), restaurants and hotels (21.46%) and education (17.22%).

                   3.     External debt

           External debt is estimated at $29.8 billion (133.6% of GDP for 2024). With limited access to institutional lending, Cuba has sought bilateral agreements, including with China and the Russian Federation, and renegotiated debt with the Paris Club of Industrial Country Creditors in January 2025.

                   4.     Social conditions

           In July 2025, only 30% of the essential medicines list was available, down from 49% in October 2024. The housing deficit exceeds 805,000 homes; only 2,728 homes were built in the first half of 2025 against an annual target of 10,795. Over 80% of households spend more than they earn on food, 42% spend their entire income on food, 29% eat only two meals a day and 25% go to bed hungry.

                   V.     Migration

           In the United States alone, at least 850,000 Cubans were registered at border crossings and through humanitarian parole programmes between 2021 and 2024. Including emigration to other destinations, academic estimates put total emigration since 2021 at over 1 million, compared with a current population of 10.9 million.

                 VI.     Domestic responses

                   1.     Exchange rate reform

           In December 2025, the Central Bank of Cuba undertook the most significant exchange rate reform since its monetary restructuring in 2021. The single pegged rate of 24 Cuban pesos per dollar – detached from an informal market rate of around 435 Cuban pesos per dollar – was replaced by a three-segment system: 24 Cuban pesos per dollar for strategic State imports; an administratively set rate for State foreign-exchange-earning entities that is periodically revisable by the Central Bank; and a floating rate for the general public and the non-State sector. Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises may purchase foreign currency monthly in proportion to registered income.

                   2.     Renewable energy

           The Government has set a target of 24% renewable electricity generation by 2030. On 19 February 2026, resolution 41/2026 exempted individuals and legal entities from customs duty on imports of photovoltaic solar systems and components (batteries, inverters, small wind turbines and biogas equipment) and extended personal income tax exemptions to those installing renewable systems for their own consumption or for supplying the national power grid.

                   3.     Decree-law 114: public-private partnerships

           Decree-law No. 114/2025 institutionalizes cooperation between State-owned enterprises and the private sector through four mechanisms: mixed-capital limited liability companies; acquisition of shares in private companies by State entities; takeover of private companies by State-owned ones; and economic partnership agreements. New entities may conduct any lawful activity except in relation to health, education or the armed forces; they may export and import directly, manage assets and set wages independently. All transactions require approval by Ministry of Economy and Planning.

                   4.     Economic and Social Programme for 2026: framework for crisis management and economic recovery

           Published on 1 April 2026, the Economic and Social Programme establishes 10 objectives addressing macroeconomic stabilization, revenue diversification, food production, business modernization, territorial development, governance, social protection, anti-corruption efforts, energy sovereignty and sustainable development. Aligned with the National Economic and Social Development Plan 2030, it serves as a strategic road map that is coordinated with provincial and municipal development strategies.

               VII.     Conclusions

           Between January 2025 and March 2026, the United States introduced more than 50 measures, including the State sponsors of terrorism designation, the reinstated “Cuba restricted list”, the reactivated Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, travel restrictions on Cuban nationals, the updated National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 and the national emergency declaration in January 2026. The GDP of Cuba has contracted for three consecutive years and stands at approximately 15% below that of 2019; external debt in 2024 is estimated at 133.6% of the country’s GDP in 2024; tourist arrivals in 2025 were at around 38.5% of levels in 2017 and 2018; only 30% of essential medicines were available in mid-2025; and more than 1 million Cubans have emigrated since 2021. Cuba has responded with energy rationing, exchange rate reform and incentives for renewable energy.

                     Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

[Original: English]

[19 March 2026]

           Key factors behind the decline in the country’s food production are the limited supply of imported agricultural inputs and fuel, due primarily to shortages of foreign exchange reserves, along with difficulties in accessing financial resources. These challenges have weakened the resilience of participants in the agrifood systems, including against extreme weather events.

           In 2025, cereal production – primarily maize and rice – is estimated to have fallen below the level of the previous five-year average (2020–2024). This estimated decline was driven by the aforementioned structural challenges and compounded by the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. This natural disaster caused significant damage and losses in the agriculture sector and exacerbated power outages, disrupting agrifood supply chains.

           As of December 2025, the annual food inflation rate was officially estimated at 13.9%. While lower than in previous years, food inflation remained persistently high due to shortages of foreign exchange reserves, exchange rate depreciation, and limited domestic food production.

           According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Cuba, the overall economic damage to the agricultural sector between March 2024 and February 2025 is estimated to exceed $932 million.

                            Technical assistance

           The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports Cuba through technical assistance in two main areas. First, FAO supports the strengthening of national capacities in the development and implementation of gender-sensitive sectoral and intersectoral policies, programmes and instruments that promote food security and nutrition. In particular, FAO is supporting the implementation of the Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Education Plan and the country’s first Act on food sovereignty and food and nutritional security. Within this framework, FAO is supporting the strengthening of national capacities in the reduction of food loss and waste, in increase in food safety and quality and the collection, processing and marketing of food products. Second, FAO supports the strengthening of national capacities in food security and nutrition statistics, as well as in the monitoring and reporting of progress towards the goals established under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goal indicators.

           As an island State, Cuba faces several environmental challenges, including soil degradation, declining forest cover, pollution, loss of biodiversity, deterioration of ecosystems, water scarcity and the impacts of climate variability. In response to these challenges, FAO is supporting efforts to build the climate resilience of agricultural production systems to safeguard food security. This includes promoting improved ecosystem services in agriculture and fisheries, integrating conservation and the use of agrobiodiversity into public policies, and scaling up sustainable agricultural and fishing intensification practices.

           Cuba is implementing the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, a flagship initiative of FAO. The country-owned and country-led programme provides targeted and innovative support to enable Governments to better target agrifood investments and policies for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. The initiative also provides a set of tools, such as access to and use of geospatial data, technical support and capacity strengthening, allowing national policymakers to make more informed and evidence-based decisions. Furthermore, its distinctive matchmaking services help to forge effective partnerships among Governments, development partners, investors and the private sector, facilitating funding at scale for agrifood systems transformation.

                            Effects of the embargo on projects implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Cuba

           Due to the embargo, FAO projects face constraints with regard to the procurement of equipment and supplies that complement the technical assistance provided by the Organization. In particular, goods that could otherwise be sourced from the United States of America must be instead imported from distant markets, resulting in significantly higher prices and freight costs. If acquisitions could be made in the United States, it would be much cheaper, and more activities could be supported through the available budget.

           The embargo against Cuba, which allows third-country companies trading with the country to be sued in United States courts, has negatively impacted Cuban trade by drastically reducing the commercial partners that operate in the country. This has had a direct impact on the procurement operations that FAO carries out in Cuba in the framework of its technical cooperation projects.

           The embargo limits the ability of the FAO country office to manage Internet communications and access the FAO network more efficiently, despite FAO having globally provided its country offices with the necessary equipment. There are hundreds of websites and services that cannot be accessed from Cuba when using alternative connections through the national Internet service provider. The acquisition of information and communications technology equipment for the FAO country office or for projects in the country are also affected since the global long-term agreement contractual provisions of FAO with the provider Danoffice IT cannot be used in Cuba without authorization from the Government of the United States of America. The processing of this permit generates delays in the acquisition of the equipment and even changes in the costs initially foreseen.

           Under the embargo, conditions hinder the processes of payments and banking transactions to and from suppliers who provide services for cooperation projects and to the FAO country office. This is demonstrated by banks’ rejections of transfers from FAO for sales to Cuba, the impossibility for suppliers to offer products to Cuba obtained from other North American companies and the inability of suppliers to transfer funds to Cuba for payment of services contracted in the country. The situation has deteriorated further since Cuba was redesignated as a State sponsor of terrorism.

           Banks reject Cuban enterprises’ commercial or financial transactions in United States dollars and even in other currencies, which obstructs payment for the certification of Cuban products with strong export potential in European markets.

           A summary of the negative effects of the embargo in selected sectors in which FAO is providing technical support as well as on other sectors included in its country programming framework is presented below.

           The main losses stem from:

           (a)      Price differences resulting from the need to source imports from distant markets;

           (b)      Additional costs related to freight insurance;

           (c)      Additional costs arising from the freezing of assets;

           (d)      Monetary damages;

           (e)      Losses due to lack of access to the latest technologies from the United States;

           (f)       Relocation of exports.

           The agroforestry sector, which includes crops such as coffee, cocoa, honey and wood, and which FAO supports through several projects, experienced losses of more than $22 million.

                     International Atomic Energy Agency

[Original: English]

[25 February 2026]

           Cuba has been a member of the Internation Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1 October 1957. The Statute of IAEA, in particular article III.C, provides that “in carrying out its functions, the Agency shall not make assistance to members subject to any political, economic, military, or other conditions incompatible with the provisions of this Statute.”

           In addition, “The Revised Guiding Principles and General Operating Rules to Govern the Provision of Technical Assistance by the Agency” (reproduced in document INFCIRC/267), approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in 1979, provides that “The Agency shall not make technical assistance subject to any political, economic, military or other conditions incompatible with the provisions of the Agency’s Statute.”

           However, the embargo continues posing certain difficulties for the implementation of the IAEA technical cooperation programme for Cuba. The procurement of equipment, consumables and material (such as radiation monitoring equipment, chemicals, reagents, medical radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, hot cells, radiation sources for medical and industrial uses and sterilized insects) are affected due to the limited number of vendors willing to supply for and/or ship such items to the country. Constraints in the supply of fuel and electricity in Cuba pose challenges for the routine operation of counterpart laboratories, including staff mobility and the consistent use and delivery of technical equipment.

           Restrictions also apply to the participation of Cuban nationals in IAEA-organized training activities, fellowships and meetings that are held in certain Member States. Recently, some challenges also occurred with the participation of Cuban nationals in virtual trainings, as difficulties persisted in the use of information technologies due to unstable electricity supply, poor Internet connection and limited access to some information technology platforms.

           In accordance with its Statute and the Guiding Principles mentioned above, IAEA tries to overcome these difficulties, to the extent possible, in order to facilitate the implementation of its technical cooperation programme in Cuba.

                     International Civil Aviation Organization

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           During the forty-second session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly (23 September–3 October 2025), the Economic Commission reviewed a working paper (A42-WP/405) submitted by Cuba, reporting that the continued imposition of unilateral and extraterritorial measures, particularly the embargo imposed by the United States, has severely hindered the economic development and sustainability of its civil aviation sector. Cuba, in its submission, reported that these measures, which include restrictions on aircraft acquisition, restrictions on financial transactions and limited access to meeting and event platforms, were violations of the provisions of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) and international law. The paper called on the Assembly to recognize the negative impact of such actions and urged States to refrain from enacting laws that undermine the sovereignty and legitimate interests of other States, in support of ICAO principles and the “No Country Left Behind” initiative.

           The Commission noted the information contained in the working paper. Some States expressed caution against unilateral measures, citing their negative impact on the ability of States to develop civil aviation as safeguarded under the Chicago Convention. They emphasized the role of ICAO as a neutral platform for fostering safe and orderly development of international civil aviation, based on equality of opportunity. One State reaffirmed the position that ICAO is not an appropriate forum to discuss national sanctions.

           In section I, paragraph 3, of Appendix A to resolution A42-26, the Assembly urges Member States to avoid adopting unilateral and extraterritorial measures that may affect the orderly, sustainable and harmonious development of international air transport and to ensure that domestic policies and legislation are not applied to international air transport without taking due account of its special characteristics.

           On 30 September 2025, during its forty-second session, the Assembly elected Cuba to the ICAO 36-member Council for a three-year term.

           During the reporting period, Cuba continued to actively participate in ICAO coordination and implementation mechanisms that support the development and growth of civil aviation in the Caribbean region. Notably, Cuba contributed to air navigation and search and rescue activities and its subject matter experts supported meetings and technical work under the airspace management and capacity balancing framework. This included involvement in the air traffic flow management and free route airspace initiatives, as well as contributions to the Caribbean/South American Regional Planning and Implementation Group, in which Cuba serves as vice-chair. Cuba also engaged in regional coordination efforts related to contingency planning, airspace optimization and collaborative traffic management through ICAO-facilitated mechanisms, including the Caribbean collaborative decision-making network.

           Cuba further remained engaged in ICAO regional capacity-building and implementation initiatives, through its participation in ICAO regional projects implemented through the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau. Cuba continued its active membership in the regional safety oversight organization, known as the Regional Safety Oversight Cooperation System, and the Multi-Regional Civil Aviation Assistance Programme. These regional projects supported regional collaboration in air navigation and safety implementation, promoted the harmonization of operational improvements and enhanced assistance to other States. In addition, Cuba maintained its participation in the regional telecommunications framework essential for the provision of air traffic management and search and rescue coordination, thereby contributing to strengthened regional coordination and operational continuity.

           Regarding the modernization of the Caribbean air navigation services network, ICAO assisted Cuba by co-signing, as an observer, the contract between Cuba and the selected supplier to facilitate the contract’s signature and subsequent implementation.

           Prior to this reporting period, the Cuban Aviation Corporation and ICAO signed a management services agreement and a project document aimed at providing the Cuban Aviation Corporation with specialized support in local capacity-building. This cooperation focuses on the establishment and consolidation of safety and security management systems within the Cuban Aviation Corporation; the enhancement of technological development for airport and air navigation services; improvements in national airline operations and air cargo management and operation; and the overall advancement and sustainability of Cuban civil aviation infrastructure. To support these objectives, ICAO published an expression of interest on behalf of the Cuban Aviation Corporation inviting suppliers to submit their qualifications and capabilities for implementing the expansion of Terminal 2 at José Martí International Airport in Havana, including the provision of potential financing options.

           Due to the embargo, however, the implementation of the above-mentioned project document, signed in 2023, remains on hold because of the lack of available funding. Embargo-related restrictions continued to impede the acquisition and delivery of the telecommunications and operational support equipment required for regional air navigation and communications projects, as well as access to various digital platforms and service providers. Despite these challenges, ICAO continued to implement mitigation measures to ensure Cuban experts could participate in ICAO-organized virtual and hybrid meetings and technical activities, in accordance with the provisions of the Chicago Convention.

           Videoconference provider Zoom continues to impose restrictions on Cuba, as reflected on Zoom’s website and in accordance with sanctions implemented by the United States Department of the Treasury. Consequently, the ICAO secretariat continues assisting Cuban participants to enable them to join virtual or hybrid meetings of ICAO and conferences organized by both ICAO headquarters and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Regional Office.

                     International Fund for Agricultural Development

[Original: English]

[3 March 2026]

           Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis and has struggled to honour its debt obligations to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), one of the few multilateral financial institutions with operations in the island. Consequently, since September 2023, the IFAD loan portfolio has been suspended pending the settlement of outstanding arrears. The current collaboration of IFAD with the Government of Cuba is limited to grant resources.

           During 2025, IFAD co-financed the Agroforestry Cooperative Development Project (PRODECAFE), which is set to be completed in March 2027. Due to the loan suspension, the project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, is operating only with grant resources (which account for 11 per cent of the original project cost), limiting its scope and impact. Additionally, in 2025, the Adaptation Fund Board approved the binational project “Strengthening the adaptive capacity of coastal communities of Cuba and Panama to climate change through the binational exchange of best practices for climate management and local food security”, where IFAD serves as the implementing entity.

           Projects supported by IFAD in Cuba continue to face delays in their implementation because of scarce foreign exchange, as well as lengthy and costly import procedures with the cash flow and disbursements closely linked to projects’ procurement cycles. Measures imposed by the United States of America against shipping companies from third countries ferrying cargo to Cuba impede the commercial flow that is critical to the daily needs of Cuban citizens and residents, particularly the poor and vulnerable. Constraints further affect Cuba’s financial transactions and its ability to export and import materials that underpin agricultural development, rural livelihoods and broader human development outcomes.

           The measures imposed by the United States have adversely affected IFAD-supported projects and are likely to have contributed significantly to the limited outcomes of previous initiatives, such as the former Livestock Cooperative Development Project in the central-eastern region (Proyecto de Desarrollo Cooperativo Ganadero PRODEGAN). PRODECAFE continues to face major constraints in the procurement of essential imported goods, including fertilizers, heavy-duty machinery and spare parts, which are critical to achieving meaningful and sustainable results. Restricted access to fuel and construction materials led to the underutilization of machinery and equipment, delays in extraction of goods from ports and their delivery to beneficiaries, inability to activate equipment that depends on fuel, and restricted supervision and training activities, hindering the project’s success. As a result, it is likely that PRODECAFE will fall short of the objectives established at its inception.

                     International Labour Organization

[Original: English]

[19 March 2026]

           The International Labour Organization (ILO) recalls that Cuba is a State member of the Organization and currently serves as a deputy member of the ILO Governing Body for the period from 2024 to 2027. The Organization further recognizes that the United Nations General Assembly is the appropriate forum for addressing matters related to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, in line with the respective competences of the United Nations system.

           Within the scope of its constitutional mandate, ILO examines issues relating to the world of work, including the monitoring and implementation in law and in practice of ratified ILO international labour standards, employment levels, labour market functioning, income security, social protection coverage and working conditions, as well as on the institutional capacity to promote productive employment and decent work through tripartite social dialogue.

           According to labour market information compiled through internationally recognized statistical frameworks used by ILO and the United Nations system, the Cuban labour market continues to be characterized by relatively low measured unemployment levels and a high share of employment in services and public administration. Recent labour statistics also indicate the gradual expansion of employment in the non-State sector, including self-employment and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. The monitoring of these trends forms part of the broader statistical monitoring of labour markets conducted by ILO and the United Nations system and provides a factual overview of current employment structures, labour force participation and employment composition in the country.

           In Cuba, ILO has continued to engage, within its mandate and in coordination with the United Nations country team, in technical cooperation activities aimed at strengthening labour market institutions, employment policies and labour statistics. Recent work has included support to national counterparts in areas such as labour market information, territorial employment management, the adoption of updated international statistical standards in the National Employment Survey, and the development of methodologies related to green jobs. In this context, ILO is currently contributing to the implementation of a Development Account project focused on youth employment and green jobs, implemented jointly with other United Nations entities, with the objective of strengthening institutional capacities and promoting employment opportunities for young people.

           In line with its tripartite mandate and its role within the United Nations system, ILO remains available to contribute technical observations and labour-related analysis, as appropriate, to the ongoing reporting process, and stands ready to cooperate with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and other relevant entities, upon request, to ensure that labour and social dimensions are duly reflected, without prejudice to the broader political considerations addressed by the General Assembly.

                     International Maritime Organization

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           As a State member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Cuba participates in the meetings of IMO bodies and benefits from the technical cooperation programmes made available by the Organization.

           IMO maintains cooperative relations with all Latin American member States, including Cuba. Since the early 1980s, the Organization has collaborated closely with the Operative Network for Regional Cooperation among Maritime Authorities of the Americas, which comprises the countries of South America, as well as Cuba, Mexico and Panama.

           IMO assistance to Latin America is guided by the region’s maritime strategies, which are reviewed and updated every five years, and the Organization will continue to support their effective implementation. Within this framework, the countries of the Operative Network have addressed key issues, including maritime safety standards, training and the protection of the marine environment, through coordinated regional strategies and numerous training activities carried out in cooperation with IMO.

           In line with the decentralization policies adopted by IMO, the majority of technical cooperation support is channelled through the Operative Network, which is entrusted with the coordination of regional activities identified by participating countries, including Cuba, as priority areas for capacity-building for the effective implementation and enforcement of IMO global maritime standards.

           While the implementation of activities under the aforementioned programmes has proceeded as planned, certain practical challenges have arisen in relation to administrative arrangements, including the disbursement of daily subsistence allowances and connectivity for participants from Cuba.

                     International Organization for Migration

[Original: English]

[4 March 2026]

           The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supports the priorities outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Cuba for the period 2026–2030, signed in 2025, following on from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2020–2024.

           IOM participates in three of the four working groups of the Cooperation Framework, which address key areas jointly identified by the Government of Cuba and the United Nations system.

           IOM continues to advance efforts to develop inter-agency projects in Cuba, including in the areas of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and migration data.

           Throughout the past year, efforts have been focused on key initiatives, including strengthening the United Nations Network on Migration in Cuba, launching migration data projects, advancing work on human mobility and climate change, and enhancing territorial resilience through identifying pertinent migration indicators.

           IOM has remained engaged in providing services, including assisted voluntary return for stranded migrants and resettlement assistance for refugees.

                     International Telecommunication Union

[Original: English]

[18 March 2026]

           During the period in question, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has received the following correspondence:

        • Note No. 22/2026 dated 14 January 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba addressed to the Secretary-General of ITU.

                     Office for Outer Space Affairs

[Original: English]

[13 March 2026]

           Cuba has been a State member of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space since 2001 and is actively participating in the discussions of the Committee and its subsidiary bodies. In 2025, Cuba provided its national inputs on activities as part of the midterm review of the “Space2030” Agenda.

           The potential for disasters as a result of natural hazards is high in the Caribbean. In the course of multiple crises over the years, the Government of Cuba has put in place an efficient and unique alert system reaching all corners of the country. However, the use of satellite-based data, as well as of precise positioning and navigation systems or of modern satellite telecommunication, by its civil protection agency could improve the performance of the alert system, while providing for improved contingency planning and preparedness. The integration of these tools in the existing systems in Cuba would be greatly facilitated by well-structured participation of all stakeholders at the various levels of administration in Cuba.

           The United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response implemented by the Office for Outer Space Affairs ensures “that all countries and international and regional organizations have access to and develop the capacity to use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle”. The Platform is supported by 33 regional support offices (including 6 in Latin America), all of which are crucial to fulfilling the mission of the Platform.

           Since 2009, the Platform has provided detailed advisory services to 11 countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. That support has allowed Governments to set priorities to strengthen their capabilities in discovering, accessing and using space-based data, information, products and services, helping to reduce the vulnerability of their population and infrastructure in the face of natural hazards.

           In support of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Office for Outer Space Affairs has set up a global partnership using space-based technology applications for disaster risk reduction and is a key member of the International Network on Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems. Those mechanisms put space technology and applications forward as a critical set of tools to plan, prepare, measure and monitor the efforts of nations in reducing risks associated with natural hazards.

           A technical advisory mission to Cuba delivered by the Platform, through a Spanish-speaking international expert team that, consulting key entities in Cuba with responsibilities or potential roles in disaster risk reduction and emergency response, would allow the assessment not only of the current capabilities but also of the priorities for action. A formal invitation from the Government for a technical advisory mission, addressed to the Office for Outer Space Affairs, would be required.

                     Office of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system for operational activities for development, Cuba

[Original: English]

[20 April 2026]

           Cuba is recognized for its commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as articulated in the National Economic and Social Development Plan 2030. The Government implements a broad range of policies and programmes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, gender equality, social protection and environmental sustainability. The country also has long-standing experience in science, human capital development and South-South cooperation, collaborating with numerous nations worldwide.

           The United States embargo against Cuba, in place since the early 1960s, continues to impose wide-ranging economic, commercial and financial restrictions, which have tightened significantly over the past year. This has deepened Cuba’s isolation from global financial systems.

           Restrictions intensified sharply in 2025, following Cuba’s continued designation as a State sponsor of terrorism. This has led to increased financial exclusion, as foreign banks, investors and companies avoid engagement with Cuba due to the risk of United States penalties and overcompliance. Additional measures include expanded sanctions on trade, travel and remittances, stricter visa limitations and the elimination of migration-related benefits, such as the humanitarian parole programme. In 2025, the General Assembly once again overwhelmingly condemned the embargo for the thirty-third consecutive year.

           At the same time, Cuba has faced a series of consecutive shocks over the past four years – including hurricanes, earthquakes and drought – without an adequate recovery window. Hurricane Melissa (October 2025) alone affected around two million people, further weakening already fragile conditions.

           Socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated sharply. Vulnerable groups and territories are experiencing increasing multidimensional deprivation. The population declined by nearly 14% between 2021 and 2025, driven largely by unprecedented outward migration.

           The national health system faces shortages of over 60% of essential medicines, reduced supplies and consumables, and a growing human resource deficit despite high professional training capacity. At the same time, food production has declined by more than 50% in the past five years, compounding vulnerabilities and further undermining household resilience and national food security.

           The United States embargo is an important driver of these constraints, affecting Cuba’s economic, social and institutional systems through trade, financial, logistical and operational restrictions. These limit access to essential goods, strain public services, hinder development financing and complicate emergency response – raising costs, increasing vulnerabilities and slowing progress toward national priorities.

           Access to essential supplies, especially in health, education and development sectors, is one of the most severely affected areas. The embargo contributes to persistent shortages of medicines, medical equipment, contraceptives and critical inputs, due to supplier withdrawal, licensing restrictions and prohibitions on products with United States components. These barriers delay procurement, disrupt service delivery and impede national health and social programmes.

           Similar constraints affect educational materials, diagnostic tools and renewable-energy technologies, which are increasingly difficult to obtain or prohibitively expensive.

           Logistical and transport disruptions are severe and systemic. Shipping companies have reduced or suspended operations to avoid sanctions risks, resulting in limited maritime routes and prolonged delays, with delivery times for essential goods often exceeding one year.

           Financial restrictions are another central channel of impact. International transactions are frequently blocked or delayed by correspondent banks seeking to avoid exposure to United States sanctions and foreign accounts are increasingly closed. Cuba’s inability to use United States dollars forces reliance on costly intermediaries, draining resources intended for development and social programmes. The designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism further amplifies these financial barriers by discouraging freight operations and deterring foreign banks from processing Cuba‑related payments, further disrupting procurement cycles and financial management.

           The embargo also limits access to development financing, investment and international cooperation. Exclusion from concessional loans and debt‑relief mechanisms restricts the country’s capacity to fund development plans. Investor hesitation – driven by the risk of secondary sanctions – reduces engagement in sectors such as energy, agriculture and biotechnology. Complex compliance requirements and heightened country risk scores increase both the cost and duration of project implementation.

           Public services are directly affected. Shortages of medical inputs and delays in obtaining health technologies impede services such as prenatal care, infectious‑disease management and emergency interventions. Difficulties in securing supplies for food production and gaps in educational and protection materials weaken programmes supporting children, families and vulnerable groups, particularly following climate‑related events.

           Access to digital platforms, software and online tools is frequently blocked for users in Cuba, limiting daily life and rights. Limited connectivity forces reliance on expensive, low‑bandwidth alternatives, constraining communication and operational efficiency.

           Recently, the United States has intensified diplomatic pressure on Latin American and Caribbean Governments to discontinue long-standing medical cooperation agreements with Cuba, a policy that has already contributed to the cancellation of arrangements in several countries across the region. According to Cuban authorities, this campaign seeks to curtail one of the island’s principal sources of income, that finance public expenses in social services.

                            Oil embargo

           To compound matters, on 29 January 2026, the Government of the United States invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to issue an Executive Order authorizing additional tariffs on goods from any country that directly or indirectly supplied oil to Cuba. On 20 February 2026, triggered by a Supreme Court decision, President Trump signed a subsequent executive order titled “Ending certain tariff actions”, which removed those tariffs. Despite this reversal, the broader energy pressure campaign remains largely intact. The national emergency concerning Cuba is still in force, allowing the Government of the United States to continue applying non-tariff measures aimed at constraining the Cuban economy. In other words, while tariffs as a specific instrument have been lifted, all other actions authorized under the emergency remain unchanged.

           As a result of these actions, acute constraints on petroleum imports are disrupting electricity generation, transport, water pumping, hospital operations, food logistics and public administration. Fuel scarcity remains the primary driver of cross-sector instability and directly constrains the operational continuity of the United Nations.

           Prolonged power outages are affecting cold chains, disease surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene systems, and food storage and distribution. In the health sector, the energy embargo has significantly reduced operational capacity. Surgical activity – already down by 68.7% – has been further constrained, with an estimated 96,387 surgeries not performed nationwide as of March, including 11,193 procedures for children. Meanwhile, 46 blood banks are operating at reduced capacity and shortages of reagents and medicines persist. Interruptions in refrigerated transport, linked to fuel scarcity, have delayed the timely vaccination of more than 30,000 children. This is compounded by the needs of approximately 16,000 radiotherapy patients and 2,888 hemodialysis patients, whose treatments depend on a continuous energy supply.

           Food security has also further deteriorated. In January and February, food prices increased in response to current conditions. Power outages affect both food preservation and preparation, while fuel shortages limit transportation to distribution networks and social programmes. Approximately 1 million people lack access to safe water.

           The fuel shortage has also adversely affected the regular functioning of the education system. Distance-learning modalities face significant limitations due to frequent blackouts, which hinder the use of assistive technologies and create unstable learning environments.

           The energy crisis is having a systemic and multiplying humanitarian impact, affecting all aspects of daily life: health, water, sanitation, food systems, education, transportation and telecommunications.

           The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed deep concern that the worsening socioeconomic crisis – compounded by long-standing embargo-related constraints, extreme weather events and recent measures restricting oil shipments – is having an increasingly severe impact on the human rights of the Cuban people. Access to essential goods and services, including food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity, is fundamental to the right to life and the enjoyment of other human rights. Approximately 5 million people – more than half the population – live with chronic conditions and are likely to experience disruptions in access to medications and treatment.

                            Impact on United Nations programmes and operations

           In 2025, 23 United Nations entities signed the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030, which defines strategic development priorities in Cuba across four areas: effective governance, productive transformation, environmental sustainability and human development. In parallel, the United Nations system in Cuba is implementing a Plan of Action in response to Hurricane Melissa, aimed at assisting 1 million people in the eastern provinces. However, implementation has been severely constrained by fuel shortages, further exacerbating humanitarian needs. To address these challenges, a restructured United Nations Action Plan was launched in March 2026 to respond to the humanitarian impacts of the fuel embargo, complementing priority activities related to Hurricane Melissa.

           Due to the current fuel constraints, dozens of containers with humanitarian assistance remain undelivered, awaiting transportation to hurricane-affected areas. Adequate fuel supply is critical for the timely deployment of this assistance.

           The embargo – and particularly the current acute fuel shortages – has significantly affected the United Nations system’s ability to respond to Cuba’s development priorities, urgent humanitarian needs, and overall population well-being. These impacts are evident across both development and emergency response contexts and manifest through several key channels:

                            Operational disruptions due to lack of electricity and fuel

        • United Nations country offices face severe operational challenges, including intermittent power outages, water supply disruptions and persistent fuel shortages. While mitigation measures are in place, staff well-being and core functions are affected.

        • Most agencies can operate with in-person presence only two to three days per week, including at United Nations common premises.

        • Electricity shortages disrupt communications and limit access to digital platforms essential for daily operations.

                            Procurement constraints and increased costs

        • Restrictions on essential supplies and higher transaction costs have slowed United Nations operations and reduced programme efficiency. Access to pre‑positioned humanitarian items is limited when goods are owned by United States-affiliated entities, requiring additional procurement steps that increase costs and delay response times.

        • Goods, services and technologies of United States origin – or containing United States components or patents – are largely unavailable. As a result, United Nations projects must rely on third-country suppliers at significantly higher prices, affecting sectors such as health, food security, education, water, sanitation, energy and agriculture.

        • Increased operational costs in financial proposals and project design divert resources away from programmatic activities.

        • Logistical constraints are compounded by limited access to the United States market despite geographical proximity. Many shipping companies are reluctant to service Cuban ports, causing delays in both food and non-food shipments.

                            Financial restrictions and limited banking access

        • United Nations field offices cannot use United States banks or transact in United States dollars. Banks frequently require additional documentation to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, delaying transfers and project payments.

        • Even when using other currencies, increased bank charges and reliance on intermediary institutions lead to higher transaction and exchange costs.

        • A growing number of international banks are unwilling to process transactions related to United Nations projects in Cuba due to sanctions risks.

        • United Nations staff – both international and national – face personal financial challenges. Transactions such as wire transfers, payments to United States-linked institutions, and even routine expenses like booking travel or accommodation are often blocked when using Cuban bank accounts.

                            Limited access to technology, platforms and communications

        • United Nations offices in Cuba face widespread limitations in accessing international e-commerce platforms throughout the procurement cycle. Many websites providing technical information, services, and operational tools are inaccessible via Cuban internet providers.

        • These restrictions also affect access to United Nations corporate platforms, reducing functionality and slowing workflows.

        • Procurement of information technology equipment is constrained, as global long-term agreements with vendors often require prior United States authorization, leading to delays and increased costs.

        • Voice and data communications are significantly more expensive, as traffic must be routed around United States infrastructure, raising operational expenses for United Nations offices.

                     Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

[Original: English]

[18 May 2026]

                            Introduction

           During the reporting period, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights continued to highlight the adverse impact of broad unilateral sectoral sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights and urged their reconsideration, with a view to lifting them, given their disproportionate impact on populations, particularly the most vulnerable, as well as their adverse effects on the work of some human rights and humanitarian organizations.[7] In his address to the biennial panel discussion on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, the High Commissioner recalled that sanctions imposed on entire economic sectors can prevent people from accessing the essentials for life; hinder humanitarian assistance by halting purchases, imports or the payment of fees; interfere with the proper functioning of essential health and education systems; undermine the rights to work, housing and social security; disrupt the provision of basic goods; and jeopardize the availability, quality and affordability of food and clean water.[8] He also indicated that it was critical to develop proper tools and guidelines to address overcompliance with sanctions by third parties, as the impact thereof can include reducing or preventing the import of essential goods, including raw materials, supplies for the agricultural sector, food and medicine. Overcompliance can also prevent people from receiving lawful funds.[9]

           Following the category 3 Hurricane Melissa on 29 October 2025, which forced over 735,000 people to evacuate,[10] authorities of the United States of America relied on pre-existing humanitarian authorizations[11] and applied an expedited, favourable case-by-case licensing policy.[12] Nonetheless, providers’ overcompliance with the embargo reportedly delayed some supplies under the emergency response launched by the United Nations, including emergency kits for victims of gender-based violence.[13]

           On 29 January, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 14380 declaring a national emergency regarding Cuba and establishing a process to impose tariffs on countries that sell or otherwise provide oil to Cuba under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act and the United States Code.[14] This decision prompted a pause in shipments from multiple sources, causing severe fuel scarcity in the island – a major humanitarian risk for a country that imports about 60% of its fuel needs.[15] On 20 February 2026, a new Executive Order, 14389, terminated this tariff system.[16] The emergency declaration remained, preserving broad authority for additional non-tariff measures by United States authorities. In practice, suppliers have continued to pause oil shipments since January, with the exception of one import of crude oil on 31 March.[17] The oil restrictions caused a major electricity generation shortfall, leading to sustained nationwide power outages, as well as critical disruptions to transportation and the distribution of water, as 84% of pumping systems rely on electricity. The oil restrictions caused acute shortages that affected the distribution of food, medicines and other essential goods, and disrupted supply chains, exacerbating the isolation of various regions.[18]

           Although Cuba has made a commitment under Decree-Law 345/2019 to meet 24% of energy demand with renewables by 2030, nearly 90% of supply still relied on fossil fuels, and electricity was generated almost entirely by thermoelectric plants.[19] Diesel- and fuel-oil units – about 2,600 MW of the 7,000 MW required – were inoperative due to import restrictions, while units using Cuban crude required intensive maintenance because of its high sulphur and vanadium content. The embargo reportedly disrupted the procurement of maintenance metals and additives, spare parts, software and hardware upgrades, and specialized technical support, in a context of ageing plants that were already past their service life and could not be replaced.[20]

           On 13 February 2026, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement expressing concern[21] over Cuba’s deepening socioeconomic crisis, amid a decades-long financial and trade embargo, extreme weather events, and the measures by the United States to restrict oil shipments, which were resulting in an increasingly severe impact on the human rights of people in Cuba. In the statement, it was stressed that access to essential goods and services, including food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity – which are essential to the right to life – should be safeguarded. Noting the increased risk of social disruption in the country, OHCHR called upon Cuba to respond in line with international human rights law, prioritizing the most vulnerable, mediation and de-escalation, and protecting freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. The High Commissioner also reiterated his call upon all States to lift unilateral sectoral measures, given their broad and indiscriminate impact on the population.

           The Office of the High Commissioner received information[22] indicating that, against background mentioned above, the enjoyment of human rights, such as the rights to health, food and education, in Cuba was seriously and cumulatively undermined during the reporting period, due to the combined effects of the long-standing embargo and intensified overcompliance by third parties, compounded by natural disasters and the recent restrictions on oil imports. These factors continued to affect Cuba’s ability to guarantee the minimum level of realization of these rights, with disproportionate effects on people in vulnerable situations and adverse effects on humanitarian operations.

           During the reporting period, the special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council addressed the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures and United States measures authorizing the imposition of trade tariffs on imports of oil from third countries to Cuba. At the end of her official visit to Cuba, the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights noted that unilateral sanctions, de-risking and overcompliance were exacerbating Cuba’s humanitarian situation, which was already strained by an economic crisis, natural disasters and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). She called upon the United States to lift or suspend all unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.[23] Several special procedure mandate holders expressed deep concern about the foreseeable humanitarian consequences of restricting fuel supplies to Cuba.[24]

                            Impact on the right to health

                            Availability of medicines and medical services

           According to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, procurement from abroad of medicines, raw materials, medical equipment, spare parts and packaging continued to be constrained by reduced availability of foreign currency, bans on importing medicines and technologies patented by United States manufacturers; higher costs and delays from sourcing in distant markets; and cash-in-advance demands. OHCHR received reports about overcompliance by banks and risk-averse vendors linked to Cuba’s listing as a State sponsor of terrorism, leading to blocked payments and shipments and additional requirements with respect to documentation, which deterred suppliers and carriers, raised costs and reduced volumes. For example, Cuba’s medical import agency, MediCuba S.A., reported that in the latest tender, 70 suppliers were invited; 4 suppliers replied, 3 of which declined to bid.

           The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and clinicians reported stockouts of essential paediatric and obstetric medicines. UNFPA reported delays in shipments of medical supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, because only one carrier took the risk of serving Cuba. Fuel shortages from January 2026 onwards further hindered in-country distribution.

           Interlocutors reported increased challenges in the domestic production of medicines due to reduced imports of components to produce them, and of equipment and packaging, and also due to restrictions on United States-patented technologies. BioCubaFarma indicated that 80% of the 651 essential medicines remained domestically produced, but stocks covered only 30 days instead of the 120 days required by national protocol. The production of medicines for chronic diseases and key antibiotics and analgesics was not sufficient to cover the demand.

           The support of United Nations agencies and international cooperation in response to the adverse climate events that hit the country in the second half of 2025 helped to provide significant, but still insufficient, supplies of medicines and hospital equipment. Clinicians reported mixing first- and second-line drugs based on availability in order to limit disease progression, though with reduced efficacy.

           BioCubaFarma reported that, after the oil restrictions imposed by the United States, the production of non-life-saving products, such as vitamins or contraceptives, was suspended. The production of cancer treatments reportedly slowed in 2025 and stopped after 30 January 2026, including the development of a lung cancer vaccine. The development of biosimilar drugs continued to be challenging, as Cuba could not access United States reference drugs. Fuel shortages after 30 January 2026 further impeded distribution: about 40 products remained in BioCubaFarma warehouses because there was no fuel for refrigerated transport nor electricity for adequate pharmacy storage.

           Interlocutors also reported the reduced availability of medical equipment due to sanctions-related constraints, such as reduced access to spare parts and new technologies to repair or replace such equipment.

           One of the medical services prioritized in the national health system is the maternal and child health programme.[25] UNFPA and clinicians reported stockouts of essential paediatric and obstetric medicines, such as folic acid, a lack of supplements, supply delays and a reduction in the diet of pregnant women. Mortality at birth was above the rates in the pre-COVID period: 9.9‰ in 2025 versus 7.1‰ in 2024 and 4–5‰ pre-COVID. Anaemia, maternal malnutrition and infections, affected by the embargo-related constraints, were increasing low-birth-weight cases. The situation worsened after the oil restrictions, when the Government reported that the health of 32,880 pregnant women was at risk, as well as that of 61,830 children under 1 year old.[26]

           According to the Ministry of Health, the other prioritized services were the diseases with the highest morbidity, which were cardiovascular diseases and cancers.[27] The Cuban Society of Cardiology reported that the embargo-related constraints had severely reduced early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in 2025. For example, diagnostic equipment was reportedly scarce, obsolete or idle, as many devices exceeded the 10% threshold of technology components of United States origin and could not be repaired or replaced. Even functioning equipment could not be continuously used owing to the recurrent lack of electrodes and medical consumables. This situation resulted in a reduction of about 50% of planned daily exams, as well as a decrease in the early detection of diseases. As regards treatment, cardiovascular surgeries reportedly fell from 1–2 per day pre-COVID to 1–2 per week in 2024, and since 30 January, only life-saving procedures have reportedly been prioritized. Emergency surgeries and paediatric surgeries reportedly continue to be performed, but under stricter criteria. Limited prenatal diagnosis for cardiovascular conditions has reportedly contributed to higher neonatal mortality, as it has become almost impossible to provide timely surgeries. The majority of rehabilitation programmes reportedly could not be delivered as prescribed, as certain machines required electricity. According to the Cuban Society of Cardiology, these factors reportedly decreased life expectancy after cardiovascular surgery by 30%.

           Individuals with chronic diseases were highly affected by the limited availability of medicines and equipment. For example, it was reported that waiting lists had increased for kidney transplants.[28] According to the Cuban Society of Cardiology, shortages of medicines and equipment led to the use of temporary catheters, with a higher infection risk, and interruptions to haemodialysis. Since the oil restrictions came into effect, electricity has reportedly been prioritized for electricity-dependent patients, especially children.[29]

                            Accessibility of medicine, medical and support services

           Shortages of medicines in public pharmacies were partly offset by availability in the black market and in foreign delivery platforms selling in foreign currency, but prices often exceeded wages and household income, making them largely unaffordable for families without remittances.[30] In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of products lacking official quality control.

           Since early 2026, fuel shortages have affected the availability of public transport and visits to medical facilities. Medical practitioners indicated that reduced access to treatments had increased hospitalizations, straining the public system. The State reportedly sought to guarantee transport for life-saving treatments and medical staff, using electric vehicles where possible.

           Associations of persons with disabilities, such as the association of people with physical-motor disabilities, reported worsening access to assistive technology and devices, as well as medical services and medicines, due to reduced foreign currency holdings, which affected the import of raw materials for national industry, and of spare parts and new equipment, including wheelchairs, mattresses to prevent bedsores, draining bags, pads or sanitary chairs. Psychopedagogic centres for people with severe intellectual disabilities reportedly ran below capacity, due to shortages of resources and consumables, as well as deteriorated infrastructure. The National Association of the Blind in Cuba noted that about 3,000 visually impaired people were cooking with coal despite the associated risks, due to a lack of electricity and gas. Repairs to reopen the only national rehabilitation centre were reportedly stalled due to electricity shortages and funding constraints.

                            Quality of health services

           Working conditions for health personnel severely deteriorated due to the embargo and oil restrictions. WHO and medical societies noted that staff worked longer hours in order to manage waiting lists, often without the ability to dispense the necessary medicines, forcing them to make constant adjustments to treatment. BioCubaFarma reported over 20% annual turnover among highly specialized staff. According to BioCubaFarma, the exodus and related turnover of medical staff undermined the continuity and quality of the health services. Health personnel reported limited participation in training, due to blocked online platforms and the processing of payments for registrations or membership fees being rejected. Limited medical resources have reportedly affected access to the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment knowledge.

                            Right to food

                            Availability of food

           Producer associations and the food industry have reported import restrictions that limit the availability to obtain and maintain agricultural and livestock equipment, machinery and spare parts, as well as imported agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers and vaccines for livestock), all of which have hampered national agricultural and livestock production. These limitations were reportedly driven by State foreign currency shortages and the high costs demanded by risk-averse shipping companies, suppliers and financial intermediaries. United Nations projects or donations through which agricultural equipment and tools were provided to farmers continued to play a key role, even if quantities remained below the level of need. As from 30 January, there was a notable increase in the provision of renewable-energy-based machinery, but persistent shortages of transport still limited the profitability for most farmers. Hurricane Melissa worsened the conditions of farmers in the east, while the embargo-related restrictions hindered the arrival of donated agricultural inputs following the hurricane, according to organizations such as the Cuban Council of Churches. Producers’ associations reported more uncultivated land and lower yields, especially in fertilizer-intensive crops. La Estancia S.A., a State-run food production and distribution company, reported delayed and uncertain delivery of required additives and equipment, compounded by power outages and fuel shortages, disrupted production cycles and reduced capacity. Many lines of production closed or ran at minimum, lowering supplies for the subsidized basket and reducing state shop revenues. The embargo-related restrictions and lack of fuel affected production of the main export products, such as rum, due to delays in harvesting sugar cane, and cacao, both of which are crucial for Cuba’s annual revenue, also resulting in a reduction of foreign currency flows.

           The Cuban Association of Animal Production reported further livestock decline due to scarce imports of raw materials to produce animal feed, vaccines and supplements to improve animal health and enhance productivity. The implementation of the national plan for food and nutritional sovereignty and security for the development of small-livestock breeding remained far from its 5 kg of meat per person per month target.

           Fuel and electricity shortages, especially as from 30 January, cut farm and food industry production, thereby shrinking the cultivated area, and also slowed or halted automated lines. Cold chain failures (notably for milk) increased spoilage, reducing allocations to the children’s basket. Transport to factories and warehouses worsened, causing the loss of perishables, delays and intermittent availability in shops (bodegas) and food services. Mitigation measures included the following: the authorities expanded agricultural renewable-energy kits through international cooperation; the testing of alternative techniques to guarantee staple crops; and implementing decentralization and municipal autonomy aimed at food and nutritional sovereignty and security in agricultural budgeting and production.

           With domestic agriculture and livestock contracting, the food industry relied more on imported volumes for the basic food basket. However, higher import costs, attributable to freight, suppliers, intermediaries and financial transactions, lower export earnings, limited credit and overcompliance by financial institutions with the embargo reportedly weakened import capacity. The quantity and variety of the subsidized food basket also declined. Minced meat products were reportedly imported at only 12% of the planned amount, and were prioritized for children, social meal providers and homes for the elderly. As from 30 January, shorter school hours have meant that no school meals were provided to students.

           Access to international banking services to support food procurement and production deteriorated, as banks reportedly increased overcompliance with the embargo, blocking and delaying transactions and forcing the use of costly foreign intermediaries, who sometimes overcomplied with the embargo and blocked transactions. Several United Nations agencies also indicated that their payments had faced delays and blocks.

                            Accessibility of food

           With the State’s subsidized food basket shrinking in quantity and variety, access to food via private markets became increasingly important. Private businesses offered more goods in local currency, which helped to ease inflation, but prices were too high for most households. The national statistics office of Cuba reported that in April 2025, the average monthly state salary was 6,506.5 Cuban pesos ($17.83 per month, at the unofficial street rate of $1 = 365 Cuban pesos, in April 2025), while a box of 30 eggs cost 2,500 Cuban pesos, highlighting the affordability gap. The World Food Programme noted dual access barriers: deliveries were hampered by fuel scarcity, and private-market prices exceeded average purchasing power. E-commerce platforms, paid in dollars via firms registered abroad, continued to grow as de facto in-kind remittances, though prices remained high. Deliveries were suspended after 30 January due to fuel shortages. State-owned United States dollar stores had some food availability, but prices were similar to those in small and medium-sized enterprises and unaffordable for most.[31]

                            Quality of food

           The shrinking subsidized food basket and high private market prices risk preventing individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations, from gaining access to food of sufficient quality to satisfy their dietary needs. The Cuban Society of Cardiology reported that the embargo had constrained access to food necessary for a balanced diet, heightening the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The impacts were most severe for groups requiring specific diets, since all medical diets for people with specific needs, usually provided by the State, had been suspended, except for pregnant women and children with chronic diseases, as well as infants up to 1 year of age.

           The Ministry of Education reported that, despite schools being provided with a manual on healthy eating, some schools could not meet planned daily kilocalorie targets per child since they were compelled to cut the quantity and variety of meals, as high inflation and gas scarcity impeded cooking. Furthermore, fuel shortages delayed the deliveries of food to schools. As a mitigation measure under the food and nutritional sovereignty and security plan, more schools set up on-site vegetable gardens. Preschools reached food subsidy agreements with economic actors, but needs were unmet. Impacts varied by province, with the capital more affected due to the higher number of facilities and distance from production sites.

                            Right to education

                            Availability of education and/or research material and equipment

           According to information provided to OHCHR, several interlocutors reported severe shortages of domestically produced, subsidized educational materials, which undermined learning. According to the Ministry of Education, the State faced challenges in the procurement of inputs and essential supplies for the education system in 2025, because suppliers refused to trade, shipping lines avoided Cuba and vendors demanded cash payments. The country’s two remaining printers operated at reduced capacity and were reportedly unable to print all the textbooks and workbooks for schools, and university publications were published only online.

           Reportedly, the Government could not import new equipment for science, art, sport and music nor raw material for national industry and spare parts to repair broken equipment. According to the Ministry of Education, primary schools still lacked 85% of natural science kits, gyms were in poor condition and could not be repaired and university language labs were closed due to broken audiovisual equipment. Information technology equipment was effectively obsolete across schools and universities and could not be replaced or repaired due to embargo-related constraints.

           Power outages, at times leaving only about two hours of electricity per day, caused nationwide school closures and curtailed the use of information technology equipment, refrigeration and laboratories. Hurricanes and earthquakes damaged water and electrical systems in school facilities, and most of the damage sustained in 2024 remained unrepaired and was compounded by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The proportion of schools in need of repairs rose over the reporting period, from 9% to 13%, and 28 State-run early childhood education centres remained closed, pending repair work. Combined shortfalls in energy, water and gas increased school closure days in 2025, especially outside the capital and in the east of the country. Water supply in schools was disrupted by a lack of fuel to refill tanks.

                            Accessibility of educational material, tools and services

           During the reference period, access to online educational resources (databases, publications, training, conferences) worsened due to degraded Internet access, with substandard speeds and partial coverage. According to the State telecommunications company, ETECSA,[32] 85% of its network was technically obsolete and upgrades were hampered by a lack of foreign currency reserves or loans, barriers to interconnecting with United States operators that forced longer, costlier routes, and restrictions on importing components for repairs that originated in the United States or technology from the United States under licence. Slow speed and dropped connections reportedly limited access to publications, research and videos, as well as participation in online training and conferences, as was also indicated by several United Nations entities.

           Embargo-related restrictions imposed on websites, software, applications and online services, including virtual academic conferences, reportedly increased year on year, in parallel with restrictions on access to new developments, including in the domain of artificial intelligence, which were not accessible in Cuba, thereby limiting Cubans’ access to learning, exchange and knowledge creation.

           Participation in in-person conferences and academic exchanges abroad remained highly constrained by blocked online payments of registration fees, due to overcompliance by the financial sector with the embargo.

           Professors and researchers reported challenges in gaining access to scholarships and receiving payments from foreign academic institutions because of overcompliance by international financial institutions, which blocked or delayed payments and restricted the use of common payment platforms. They also alleged that receiving compensation or pay for publishing in international journals continued to be a challenge and they often resorted to costly, delayed alternatives, such as cash via intermediaries. The Centre for Molecular Immunology, for instance, noted that despite having the necessary funds, it was unable to pay for patents and journal publications.

           Access to educational facilities and services, at all levels, reportedly worsened during the period due to reduced public transport linked to fuel import constraints and higher transport costs. Transport issues affected the participation of provincial staff in trainings held in the capital. The Ministry of Education reported that following the oil restrictions imposed in January 2026, most dormitory residents nationwide returned home. Accessibility in special schools and in relation to teaching was also affected, including for children with severe physical impairments.

           The availability of assistive devices, services and facilities for students with disabilities reportedly remained severely constrained and worsened during the period, due to equipment obsolescence and embargo-related barriers to importing software. For example, national Braille printers were reportedly inoperable and could not be updated. Perkins Brailler mechanical typewriters could not be imported due to containing components of United States origin. Limited connectivity and blocked support applications reportedly reduced accessibility in terms of digital materials. Special education schools lacked tools for assessment, monitoring and therapy in motor and language development, because such technology was unaffordable or inaccessible, including due to the 10% de minimis rule.

                            Quality of education

           Teachers and education staff reported heightened pressure to maintain quality, amid shortages of materials, equipment, connectivity and electricity, which required them to undertake additional preparation, while also contending with reduced class time and limited use of information technology and online platforms and training. According to the Ministry of Education, lost school days and reduced compulsory attendance at universities harmed learning.

                     Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           Although Cuba is not a State Party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, it has a long-standing practice of providing international protection. For over three decades, the Government of Cuba has allowed the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to exercise its mandate to protect refugees and find them durable solutions. During this time, thousands of refugees have found safety in the country.

           Cuba maintains a de facto policy of non-refoulement for refugees recognized under UNHCR mandate. Asylum-seekers are allowed to remain in the country while UNHCR conducts refugee status determination. Following recognition, UNHCR works to identify durable solutions for mandate refugees.

           In 2025, UNHCR registered 13 refugee students from Western Sahara. The Office also received 25 new asylum applications, concerning 31 people. This figure is relatively stable compared with 2024 (27) and 2023 (23), though substantially higher than years prior (2 in 2022 and 7 in 2021). New applications were from the State of Palestine (11), the Syrian Arab Republic (9), Haiti (5), Burundi (2), South Sudan (2), China (1) and Colombia (1). The increase in the diversity of countries of origin may be linked to deteriorating security contexts and changes in visa or entry procedures for certain nationalities.

           Refugees and asylum-seekers are significantly affected by Cuba’s acute socioeconomic situation. They face severe shortages of essential goods, including food, hygiene items, clothing and medicines, alongside escalating prices, fuel scarcity and recurrent power outages. These conditions also affect the operational capacity of UNHCR. The economic, commercial and financial embargo continues to limit access to international trade, financial services and energy supplies. Measures affecting fuel shipments reportedly exacerbated shortages and led to transportation and electricity constraints. These compounding factors contribute to growing hardship for all residents, including refugees, and are likely to discourage new asylum applications for those in need.

           In parallel, the number of Cubans seeking international protection abroad has risen dramatically. UNHCR reported an increase of 140% in asylum applications by Cubans in 2025 compared with the previous year, making Cuba the leading country of origin for new asylum claims in Latin America and the third-largest nationality seeking asylum worldwide, after Sudanese and Venezuelans.

           By the end of 2025, UNHCR had identified 45 refugees for whom resettlement to a third country is the only viable durable solution. However, resettlement out of Cuba has generally not been prioritized by traditional resettlement countries, limiting access to resettlement as a durable solution. Although Cuba does not have a local integration policy, a few refugees have been granted permanent residence permits under national legislation based on close family ties to Cuban nationals. This legal status grants them some of the rights and opportunities that nationals have. While most recognized refugees are not granted work permits, they have access to free healthcare, education and subsidized products. Cuba continues to offer government scholarships for tertiary education to young people from countries and territories facing unfavourable circumstances. Among those who have received the scholarship are refugees, including those from the State of Palestine and Western Sahara.

           Cuba contributes to regional and global frameworks designed to enhance international protection and promote solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people. Cuba participated in formal consultations that led to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees, which the General Assembly adopted in 2018. In 2019, Cuba participated in the high-level segment on statelessness during the seventieth session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, sharing policy and legal developments in this area as good practices. In 2023, Cuba assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Group of 77 plus China, the largest negotiating bloc of developing countries within the United Nations membership. In addition, at the end of 2023, Cuba was represented at the world’s largest international gathering on refugees, the Global Refugee Forum, designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees. In 2024, Cuba participated in Cartagena +40 events, including the Caribbean Subregional Consultation in Bogotá in August and the ministerial meeting in Santiago de Chile in December where the Chile Declaration and Plan of Action was adopted. In 2025, Cuba continued to participate in regional dialogues and follow-up discussions linked to the Cartagena +40 process and broader regional cooperation initiatives addressing displacement and protection in Latin America and the Caribbean, reiterating its support for multilateral approaches to refugee protection and shared responsibility. It also participated in the 2025 Global Refugee Forum Progress Review meeting in Geneva.

           In July 2024, the National Assembly of People’s Power approved the new migration and citizenship law. Notably, for the first time, there was an explicit mention of refugees and asylum-seekers assisted by UNHCR who would be granted temporary humanitarian resident status. This would enable them to exercise rights such as work, education and healthcare, among others, on equal terms with the national population during their stay in the country. However, these laws have not yet come into effect. The future implementation of these provisions may also depend on the broader socioeconomic environment and the availability of resources within the country.

           Should the embargo against Cuba end, more favourable conditions in the country would benefit the people that UNHCR is mandated to protect and seek solutions for. Such a development could pave the way for meaningful discussions on local integration. UNHCR will continue to advocate for Cuba’s accession to the international refugee and statelessness treaties. Improved access to international trade, financial transactions, and energy supplies could also help strengthen public services and humanitarian operations, benefiting both the Cuban population and refugees in the country.

                     Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

[Original: English]

[13 March 2026]

           Cuba signed the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction on 13 January 1993 and ratified it on 29 April 1997, thereby becoming a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons from the date of entry into force of the Convention on 29 May 1997.

           As a member of the Organisation, Cuba is entitled to request technical assistance and support from the OPCW Technical Secretariat and to participate in its capacity-building and training activities. As a State Party to the Convention, Cuba has the same rights and obligations as other States Parties.

           The Preamble to the Convention lays out the States Parties’ desire, inter alia, to promote free trade in chemicals as well as international cooperation and exchange of scientific and technical information in the field of chemical activities for purposes not prohibited under the Convention, in order to enhance the economic and technological development of all States Parties.

           Article XI of the Convention specifically concerns economic and technological development, and provides, among other things, that the provisions of the Convention should be implemented in a manner which avoids hampering the economic and technological development of States Parties.

           Cuban delegates regularly participate in capacity-building events and activities in various areas relevant to the Convention, and Cuba has made unilateral offers of assistance under article X (7) (c) in 1997, 2005 and 2020, for the provision of experts.

           Cuba has on several occasions made statements on “difficulties and obstacles encountered” as a result of the embargo.[33]

           The Secretariat reports annually to the plenary governing body, the Conference of the States Parties, on the status of implementation of article XI of the Convention. There is also an ongoing facilitation process for the States Parties within the Organisation concerning this provision, which provides a forum for States Parties to discuss matters falling within its ambit.

           In the past, the Technical Secretariat had experienced some technical challenges in ensuring that Cuba has access to official documents of the Organisation and that it can access capacity-building and training activities offered by the Secretariat. These challenges related to impediments in access to the digital platforms used by the Secretariat for these activities. However, in 2023 the Secretariat identified technical solutions that conclusively resolved this issue.

                     Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

[Original: English]

[4 March 2026]

           Cuba signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty on 4 February 2021, thus becoming a member of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. Cuba does not host an International Monitoring System facility under the Treaty. However, as a member of the Preparatory Commission, it is a recipient of equipment and technical support related to the establishment of a national data centre that provides it with access to the data collected by the International Monitoring System and the products created by the International Data Centre Division of the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the Preparatory Commission. Cuba is also entitled to participate in capacity-building and training programmes of the Preparatory Commission.

           The Secretariat continues to experience some challenges and a heightened administrative burden associated with the implementation of its projects and activities in Cuba. While relevant licences and authorizations for shipping communications equipment to the country have been assured as part of ongoing efforts to establish the satellite connections needed for the national data centre, limited in-country Internet service availability and intermittent power supply with prolonged outages are among ongoing challenges to the deployment of reliable communications between the national data centre and the Preparatory Commission.

           Access limitations that impede the effectiveness of information technology communications platforms have hampered the ability of Cuban participants to join certain expert meetings. The coordination efforts for the implementation of Preparatory Commission activities in Cuba continues.

                     United Nations Children’s Fund

[Original: Spanish]

[27 April 2026]

           The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been working with Cuba since 1962. In 1992, it established a country office with official representation and national and international staff. The current country cooperation programme is in line with the 2030 Economic and Social Development Plan, the UNICEF Strategic Plan and Cuba’s national priorities established in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2020–2024, which was extended to 2025 at the request of the Government of Cuba.

           UNICEF supports the Government’s efforts to maintain past achievements in social policy on universal access and to improve service quality in accordance with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in three areas: (a) health and nutrition; (b) education; and (c) child protection. In this context, the embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba continues to affect its ability to improve the living conditions and opportunities for development of Cuban children and adolescents, and their families.

           In 2025, the logistical challenges affecting the operations of UNICEF in Cuba persisted and worsened as a result of the United States embargo and the growing global restrictions on exports to the island. Those obstacles continued to affect the procurement, transport and delivery of essential supplies for healthcare and education, as well as for the operations of the office. Over the year, it once again became impossible to purchase solar lighting kits, both because they are not kept as regular inventory owing to battery-related constraints and because the supplier in Pakistan refused to export them to Cuba in light of government restrictions, which prevented the completion of the “safe space” kits intended for the response to the emergency caused by Hurricane Melissa. Such safe spaces are essential for protecting rights, providing emotional support and ensuring continuity of education, in line with UNICEF standards for humanitarian response.

           UNICEF also continued to face significant constraints in procuring medical equipment. Licences from the Office of Foreign Assets Control must be obtained, for example, to export pulse oximeters to Cuba, which caused significant delays. The arrangements for a donation of oxygen therapy supplies to the Ministry of Public Health in 2024 had already been complicated by the requirement to obtain special licences and the condition that, in some cases, UNICEF act as a guarantor for the equipment in Cuba. In 2025, those restrictions remained in place and even became more complex, forcing the Fund to rely on slower and more expensive alternative channels and leading to the cancellation of a contract for the purchase of pulse oximeters. Similarly, the purchase of laptop computers for the office continued to be subject to licences from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which lengthened delivery times and hindered the timely replacement of equipment needed for operational management.

           In addition, the shipment of the solar photovoltaic system for the office was delayed because the shipping company demanded additional export permits for Cuba as a controlled destination, which increased import times and costs. In the education sector, the cost of purchasing supplies for the diagnosis and treatment of autism in children rose again, with the cost overrun of 73% being maintained in 2025, due to the fact that the leading supplier in the market continued to refuse to sell goods destined for Cuba, making it necessary to turn again to an alternative supplier with significantly higher prices.

           Added to these challenges was the progressive deterioration of maritime transport to Cuba. In 2025, there was a further decrease in the frequency of ships entering Cuban ports, as a growing number of shipping companies suspended direct operations. As a result, there was a backlog of cargoes in trans-shipment ports, resulting in longer lead times and particularly affecting the humanitarian response. UNICEF estimates that, if it had been able to manage logistics from the United States market, freight costs could have been reduced, given the shorter distances and increased transportation options. This constraint had an even greater impact in 2025, resulting in increased costs and reduced efficiency in the delivery of essential supplies.

           In addition, the restrictions arising from the embargo continued to severely affect the financial management of UNICEF Cuba. Restrictions on bank transfers in United States dollars remained in place and were further tightened, with a direct impact on the office’s operational efficiency and capacity to deliver resources allocated to the country programme in a timely manner.

           One of the most critical challenges related to the increased number of payments rejected by correspondent banks. Transactions to suppliers with accounts abroad – but with physical, commercial or historical ties of some kind to Cuba – were subjected to greater scrutiny, resulting in repeated rejections and significant delays. This operational uncertainty led to disruptions in payment flows, affecting contracts essential for strategic procurement, project implementation and the timely delivery of goods and services for children and vulnerable communities.

           Given its ongoing inability to receive funds in a regular manner in its local United States dollar account, UNICEF Cuba found itself obliged in 2025 to continue using an intermediary bank to carry out exchange transactions, an exceptional process that involves significant financial costs. Unfavourable exchange rates, bank charges and transaction fees resulted in losses of approximately 15% of the total amount transferred, which was again equivalent to approximately $35,000 per year. Those costs directly eroded the funds available for programmes, reducing the Fund’s capacity to respond and forcing it to reallocate resources initially earmarked for key country programme interventions.

           At the same time, the office continued to face constraints in obtaining an international purchasing card, which is essential for expediting payments, reducing operating costs and ensuring financial flexibility. Although it managed to set up a local card denominated in United States dollars as a mitigating measure, its functionality was limited by the low availability of cash at local banks and by an operating limit of just $500, which was insufficient for the volume and dynamism of the office’s operations. The lack of an international purchasing card, which would serve to alleviate those bottlenecks, continued to hamper the efficiency of procurement and immediate emergency response.

           With regard to personnel, international banking transactions continued to be affected in 2025 by the classification of Cuba as the country of residence. Accredited international staff members experienced the withholding of transfers and restrictions in the use of global financial platforms and services. These constraints not only created financial vulnerabilities and undermined staff stability but also placed an additional administrative burden on staff and the office and created an operating environment that interfered with the full performance of their professional responsibilities.

           In summary, the financial restrictions associated with the United States embargo continued to pose an ongoing structural hindrance for UNICEF Cuba in 2025. Its impact was reflected in higher operating costs, delayed payments, and, most importantly, genuine limitations in the ability to implement the country programme in a timely manner and protect targeted outcomes for Cuban children.

                     United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

[Original: English]

[18 February 2026]

                            Introduction

           In paragraph 60 of the Geneva Consensus, the outcome document adopted at the sixteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2025 provided as follows:

                     The challenges to multilateralism need to be addressed through enhanced international cooperation underpinned by full respect for international law and the purposes and principles enshrined under the Charter of the United Nations. States are strongly urged to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in light of concerns over the constraining nature and developmental implications of such measures that negatively impact the well-being of the populations and can impede the full achievement of economic and social development in the concerned States, as well as impair their trade relations.

           Cuba has been under the United States economic embargo since 1962. The current United States policy toward Cuba was laid down in the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba enacted in 2017[34] and amended in the National Security Presidential Memorandum of 2025.[35] The directives established a major policy direction which sought to tighten the embargo, including through restrictions on transactions with companies controlled by certain government entities and elimination of individual people-to-people travel,[36] as well as to enforce the statutory ban on tourism from the United States to Cuba.[37] Decisions were made on 14 January 2025 to remove Cuba’s designation as a State sponsor of terrorism, revoke the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, and to suspend lawsuits under the Title III of the Libertad Act.[38] These policies were rescinded at the end of January 2025.[39]

                            Overall economic trends[40]

           After a 2 per cent contraction in 2023, the Cuban economy saw yet another contraction in 2024 by 1 per cent. The annual average growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) in the period 2020–2024 was -0.01 per cent. This outcome is particularly negative when compared with the annual average growth rates of the Latin America and the Caribbean region of 3.7 per cent during that period. Cuba is estimated to register a negative growth rate of -1.5 per cent in 2025 and forecasted to grow by 0.1 per cent in 2026 and 1.1 per cent in 2027.[41]

           Consumer price inflation remained high in 2024 (29.9 per cent) but represented a substantial decrease from 73.7 per cent in 2021, the year of the unification of the dual currency system. Inflation is estimated to decrease to 17.4 per cent in 2025, while forecasts for 2026 and 2027 are, respectively, 12.4 per cent and 10.1 per cent.[42]

           With a GDP worth $107 billion (2020),[43] Cuba has a small and labour-intensive agriculture, forestry and fishing sector whose value-addition accounts for 1.2 per cent of GDP. The agriculture sector alone absorbs 17 per cent of the workforce, and a manufacturing sector that contributes 11 per cent to GDP and employed 16 per cent of workers in 2023. Services represent the dominant economic sector, contributing 73.4 per cent to GDP and 67 per cent to employment.[44] Women make up 38.6 per cent of the labour force, with 6.8 per cent occupied in agriculture, 9.8 per cent in industry, and 83.5 per cent in services.[45]

           Official development assistance towards Cuba decreased by 7 per cent between 2023 and 2024, reaching $155 million. Italy was the largest donor, providing $21 million, followed by France ($13 million), Spain ($9 million), the United States ($7 million) and Japan ($7 million).[46] Limited access to development finance made financing government spending and external deficits more difficult to sustain. In 2025, Cuba joined the BRICS as an associated member, potentially opening new avenues for finance for development.

                            Trade pattern and trends[47]

           The trade pattern of Cuba has been marked by a deficit in merchandise trade. Despite a steady reduction since 2022, the level of trade deficit reached an estimated $7.2 billion or 82 per cent of imports in 2024. Access to international markets is fundamental for Cuba to sell its products and to meet the domestic demand.

           Cuban merchandise exports fell from $6.4 billion in 2011 to an estimated $1.6 billion in 2024, a decline by 75 per cent. While exports slightly increased between 2023 and 2024 by 1.5 per cent, the overall growth is much slower than the global average and “Latin America and the Caribbean” level in the same period. Consequently, the share of Cuba in world merchandise exports decreased from 0.035 per cent in 2011 to 0.007 per cent in 2024.

           The main export items of Cuba are tobacco and beverages, accounting for 31 per cent of total merchandise exports in 2024, mainly composed of tobacco and tobacco manufactures (23 per cent) and alcoholic beverages (8 per cent). These are followed by unprocessed, non-edible raw materials excluding energy resources such as fuels (25 per cent).[48] In this category, metalliferous ores and metal scrap, mainly nickel, accounted for 22 per cent. Other important merchandise exports in 2024 included medicinal and pharmaceutical products (7 per cent), sugar (4 per cent), and fish, crustaceans and molluscs (4 per cent).

           In 2024, 32 per cent of Cuba’s total merchandise exports went to Asia, 25 per cent to North America, 30 per cent to Europe, 12.4 per cent to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 0.7 per cent to Africa. The main export partners at the country level are Canada (25 per cent), China (19 per cent), Spain (12 per cent), and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (7 per cent). In the 2023 world market, exports from Cuba faced weighted average most-favoured-nation tariffs of about 10.1 per cent and applied tariffs of 9.9 per cent. The weighted average applied tariffs imposed by Canada stand at 2.1 per cent, those of China at 3.7 per cent and those of Spain at 7.6 per cent.[49]

           Cuba’s merchandise imports in 2024 were estimated at $8.8 billion in 2024, more than five times merchandise exports. Cuba relies on imports for the supply of machinery and transport equipment, essential foodstuffs, fuel and chemical products. Peaking in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic, imports have been steadily decreasing in 2023 and 2024. The main imported items are food, machinery and transport equipment and mineral fuels. Some 45 per cent of Cuba’s fuel imports in 2024 were sourced from Venezuela, and 10 per cent from the Russian Federation.

                            Bilateral trade with the United States

           Trade between Cuba and the United States has been heavily influenced by the embargo, holding a vast untapped potential in view of the size, economic complementarities and geographical proximity of the two economies. Cuban merchandise exports to the United States were estimated at $3.6 million in 2024, about 0.2 per cent of Cuba’s total merchandise exports to the world.

           Cuba’s merchandise imports from the United States were far greater and substantial. In 2024, they reached $785 million, the highest value since 2008 and the second highest since 1995, accounting for 9 per cent of total Cuban imports. These mainly consisted of food items (83.2 per cent of the total) and road vehicles (6 per cent of the total). Meat alone accounted for 73.7 per cent of total imports from the United States. This reflects the fact that United States commercial exports of specific agricultural commodities remained authorized in 2024, albeit subject to restrictions and licensing requirements. Other exempted items include specific medicines and medical devices, items for environmental protection (including items related to renewable energy and energy efficiency) and items to ensure the safety of civil aviation and the safe operation of commercial aircraft engaged in international air transportation.[50]

                            Services and remittances

           Cuba has developed important export capabilities in the services sector. In 2023, services exports amounted to $6.8 billion, as compared with estimated services imports of $3.4 billion. Compared with 2019, that represented a decrease of one third for exports and a 67 per cent increase for imports. Key export activities are personal, cultural and recreational services and travel services.

           Tourism represents one of the most important sectors. It showed signs of recovery, registering 2.2 million of international tourists in 2024, with the vast majority coming for leisure. In 2023, 39 per cent of tourist arrivals came from Canada, followed by the Russian Federation (8.4 per cent) the United States (6.5 per cent) and Spain (3.7 per cent).[51]

           Remittance flows to Cuba were valued at $2.3 billion in 2024, an increase compared with 2022 and 2023 but far from the peak of $4 billion in 2018. Since June 2022, the United States has authorized remittances to Cuban nationals to support independent businesses and lifted limits on family remittances, previously set at $1000 per quarter. While Western Union restarted operations in June 2023, transactions had to be suspended in January 2025 as the entity in charge of processing remittances was included in the Cuba Restricted List.[52],[53]

                            Conclusion

           A series of global crises, rising global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions continue to negatively influence the Cuban economy and people’s welfare, as they depend heavily on international trade, tourism revenues and remittance inflows. Cuba suffers continued hardship on account of modest economic growth, weak export performance, significant external deficit and a higher cost of living in an evolving international geopolitical landscape. Healthy flows of international trade and finance can support the country’s economic recovery and enhance its resilience.

           The embargo hinders the healthy development of commercial relations between Cuba and the United States., Trade plays a crucial role in the economy of Cuba and in navigating the economic consequences of multiple global crises. The embargo has limited the country’s efforts to use trade as an instrument of sustainable development.

                     United Nations Development Programme

[Original: English]

[26 March 2026]

           The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports the efforts of national authorities to address emerging development issues and challenges. UNDP has long backed important local and national development strategies and policies. The country programme was extended until 2025 and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework agreed upon between Cuba and the United Nations system. It addresses the country’s strategic priorities in line with the 2030 national economic and social development plan and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Each expected outcome will prioritize a multidimensional development approach, combining economic improvement, well-being, a rights-based and empowerment approach for people, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and comprehensive risk management.

           UNDP contributes to promoting innovations within the national context and promotes South-South and triangular cooperation. Fostering sustainable human development will continue to be the central focus of the cooperation programme, with the transfer of technology and knowledge being key.

                            Diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States

           In the past four years, there has been an increase in United States sanctions against the Cuban nation, posing operational challenges for development cooperation activities.

           Among the measures that most negatively affect bilateral relations are: (i) the decision to keep Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism; (ii) the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act – the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act; (iii) growing limitations on the issuance of non-immigrant visas and the elimination of migration-related benefits for Cuba, such as the humanitarian parole programme; (iv) the inclusion of more than 200 Cuban entities and sub-entities on the restricted list[54] prohibiting direct financial transactions with them; and (v) political pressures to encourage third countries to cancel medical services agreements with Cuba or to refrain from providing critical goods such as fuel.

           Travel restrictions to Cuba have been maintained, directly affecting the category of person-to-person travel that allowed United States citizens to visit Cuba as part of organized group educational tours and banning flights from the United States to all Cuban cities except Havana.

                            Specific effects of the United States embargo

           The negative impact of the embargo has been growing exponentially; it has become more specific and significantly greater than in previous years, particularly in trade and financial activities. This situation limits the acquisition of medicines, equipment and medical supplies, affects Cuba’s external economic relations, and its impact can be seen in all areas of the country’s social and economic activities. It affects opportunities for national and local development and creates economic difficulties for the population. Such restrictions have an impact on the most vulnerable groups of the population and on human development in general. Over the past year, the embargo has had a particularly detrimental impact on access to fuel, as well as on the financing of maintenance and investment efforts aimed at addressing the country’s critical energy crisis.

           During the past years Cuba has been excluded or had limited access to concessional loans, lending facilities and debt relief programmes granted by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

           This has narrowed the possibility of obtaining resources to provide financial support for the national and/or local development plans of Cuba. Furthermore, financial institutions dealing with Cuba face significant compliance challenges imposed by the embargo significantly increasing costs of operations, leads to persistent refusals from international banks to establish correspondent relationships, and limiting Cuba’s ability to access financing. All of this increases the country risk, which affects the island’s ability to access the international financial markets and to attract foreign investors.

           It also restricts the participation of foreign investors – not only companies from the United States, but also companies with United States capital or that own United States intellectual property – in prioritized economic projects, such as investments in the energy sector, and particularly renewable energy. Several limitations have been registered regarding access to regional and global value chains.

           The embargo has continued to negatively affect day-to-day work in external cooperation initiatives, creating many difficulties for the implementation of programmes and projects owing to trade restrictions or prohibitions on purchasing inputs from United States companies and subsidiaries. It also severely reduces the number of possible suppliers and limits competitive processes while at the same time significantly increasing the cost of goods.

           At a financial level, the existing restriction continues to prevent the UNDP office in Cuba from making transfers in United States dollars. For this reason, and although the budgets of all projects are recorded in United States dollars, transfers abroad are made in other currencies (mainly Euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars and Swiss francs). However, even when payments are made in one of these currencies, bank withholdings have increased significantly, with constant requests from banks for additional information to comply with the Office of Foreign Assets Control throughout the entire banking chain (issuance, intermediaries and beneficiaries). Most suppliers who have maintained smooth commercial relationships with Cuban companies and the UNDP office for years have continued to see their accounts closed due to the policies implemented by many banks because of the United States sanctions against Cuba.

           In 2025, the UNDP office in Cuba and its projects continued to face many obstacles and delays, with most financial transactions involving intermediary banks that were subject to United States jurisdiction and ending in long processing time or automatic rejections by the banks as part of compliance policies. These measures have affected the ability of the country office to honour payments to suppliers within agreed time frames and have implied additional transaction costs, affecting project budgets.

           In addition, restrictions on transportation for shipping lines whose vessels dock in Cuban harbours have been recorded. This significantly reduces the number of shipping companies that include Cuba in their routes, thus limiting the availability of transportation and delaying the loading of goods. Costs associated with intermediaries and long-distance transportation negatively affect access to key inputs to implement development projects, as well as the final cost of imported project goods and equipment. Likewise, products for development projects must be purchased and imported from more distant places at much higher costs. Delays in shipping often go beyond 12 months.

                            Effects on projects

           The embargo has had a direct impact on all UNDP development projects and emergency activities, because it increases the transaction costs of obtaining project inputs, the shipping cost of imported goods and transportation time. Finding alternative shipping companies requires additional time and effort.

           During emergency situations, the UNDP Country Office is unable to access critical humanitarian pre-positioned items stored in the United Nations regional depot, as some are owned by entities associated to the United States. As a result, more complex and time-consuming procurement processes are required, leading to higher costs and delaying UNDP ability to deliver timely emergency response to affected populations.

           The prevailing situation has been particularly complex in the case of other projects related to food security and local development, given the lengthy process to access and import agricultural inputs such as irrigation systems, machinery and agricultural tools. In general, procurement processes take longer and are more expensive, delaying project activities and their results.

           Therefore, financial proposals and new projects must consider, in their design, an extended period for procurement processes; they must also allocate additional financial resources to cover incremental costs that could otherwise be allocated for development activities. Those additional costs are covered by the funds provided by international development partners, which are channelled through UNDP.

           Many of the assets required by country office projects involve United States technologies or include United States manufacturing components. The Torricelli Act of 1992 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996 are still in force. Both explicitly prohibit sales to Cuba by United States companies and subsidiaries in third countries and include sanctions against those who violate the prohibition. The full application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which began in May 2019, has limited new partnerships and agreements.

           In the current context of the full application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, restrictions have been more rigorously applied and new challenges have emerged for the implementation of development projects in Cuba. This has not only affected business transactions with the United States but also had a deterrent effect in other countries whose persons, companies, banks and other entities are more apprehensive about sanctions. The decrease in available international suppliers is a direct result of sanctions and a setback in the context of a local market that depends on imports. This situation severely affects the acquisition of computer technology.

           The projects financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, of which UNDP is the principal recipient, provide medicines, reagents and laboratory equipment for the benefit of 35,380 people of all ages living with HIV/AIDS. These products are purchased from third countries and secondary suppliers at prices significantly higher than those of comparable products sold on the international market. Even when long-term corporate agreements between UNDP and international suppliers apply to the project in Cuba, the embargo hinders purchases of products that are manufactured or have a component manufactured in the United States. In such cases, the providers must obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control to deliver services or products to projects in Cuba, a bureaucratic process that takes much time and effort.

           In 2025, the country office has continued to work closely with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and Cuban official institutions to secure funding for other key development projects. However, ongoing negotiations on new initiatives are taking longer periods. The sanctions imposed on Cuba have made the process of securing and implementing development projects funded by international financial institutions extremely challenging. These sanctions affect the country’s capacity to fund sustainable development, as they introduce additional layers of complexity and compliance requirements, hindering the timely execution and success of these projects.

           The sanctions impact the office’s capacity to find reliable suppliers, compounded by the volatile international landscape. Suppliers and beneficiaries in Cuba expressed concerns about potential rapid changes in the global environment, which could further complicate the procurement of essential technology. Despite these challenges, collaboration between UNDP, Cuban officials and other stakeholders has been significantly strengthened, ensuring that the project continues to support the modernization and diversification of Cuba’s biopharmaceutical industry. This progress is crucial for enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to public health challenges and compete in the global biopharmaceutical market.

                            Effects of the embargo on United Nations Development Programme country operations

           The embargo also affects the day-to-day work of the UNDP country office. There are limits on the use of corporate long-term agreements that are meant to effectively implement and monitor development, among others. Also, the access from Cuba (procure-to-pay cycle) to practically all international e-commerce sites remain completely closed at the level of connectivity. In many cases, it is based on the requirements of the United States embargo.

           Many websites and services accessed from Cuban Internet service providers are blocked owing to the embargo. Websites and services, such as Docusign, Adobe, Amazon, Cisco and VMware, are blocked for Cuban Internet service providers. Likewise, access to technical information sites, technical support, studies and price analysis, among others, is restricted. Payment gateways do not allow operations from the national Internet service providers. For example, there is no access to the key UNDP corporate platforms such as DocuSign, among others, when trying to connect from national Internet service providers. Access to online training and webinars is also limited.

           Consequently, the country office obtains access to the Internet through a satellite provider, resulting in higher costs, limited bandwidth and inferior quality for video and voice services through the Internet. This situation restrains the effective use of corporate platforms, increasing the amount of time required to perform online processes and activities. Also, additional costs are incurred since more than 95% of the country office users connect to the Internet in telework mode by sharing their data connections from their cell phones with “metered” connections.

           The UNDP office in Cuba is currently facing delays of shipments due to the application of compliance policies for trade-sanctioned countries by some shipping companies.

           The country office is also affected by not being able to use corporate accounts with United States banks or the United States dollar as a currency of payment. The office has been forced to take additional administrative measures to carry out programme-related financial operations. For example, it must use third-country banks, which results in higher costs for the office and its projects, as well as a heavier administrative burden.

           International Financial Bank is a Cuban bank used by many Cuban entities and other foreign companies with presence on the island. Its inclusion since 2020 as a specially designated national of the Office of Foreign Assets Control and more recently on the United States State Department List of Restricted Entities constitutes new obstacles to having commercial and financial relations with the potential emerging local market. Not only are dollar transactions penalized, but any operation where International Financial Bank is involved.

           During 2025, the negative impact in the financial area is maintained and expressed in further delays in the monthly receipt of funds transfers into UNDP local bank accounts. This has directly affected the payment cycles related to suppliers and those associated with United Nations programmes and personnel, negatively affecting UNDP operations in general.

           Also, a growing number of international commercial banks are not accepting transactions involving UNDP development projects in Cuba, due to the risks of being sanctioned.

           One direct effect of the inclusion of Cuba on the restricted list is the reinforcement of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s pre-existing prohibitions for United States entities to carry out any type of commercial operations with Cuba in any of the products controlled by the Export Administration Regulations. All without exception must apply for a license, with the recommendation normally denied, except for agricultural products and some medical items and travel which already have general licenses. This extends to any North American entity that markets any product, including non-United States products, and to any entity in the world that markets products with non-United States origin having 10% or more of North American components. If it is high-technology products, no matter the percentage, they will always be banned, and the entity sanctioned.

           The scrutiny of financial operations carried out in Cuba with a more stringent application of anti-money-laundering and combating the financing of terrorism policies resulted in a ban on granting financing from global institutions. The result is above all discouraging foreign suppliers of goods and services from participating in UNDP bidding processes.

                     United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           The embargo imposed by the Government of the United States of America against Cuba continues to affect developments in the fields of competence of the United Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its activities in the country. These have been aggravated by the fuel shortages since January 2026. Severe island-wide power cuts have created major communication difficulties with national partners, with a direct impact on the delivery of UNESCO activities.

           The education system has been particularly affected by the fuel shortages in schools and by constrained transportation for students and teachers. Distance‑learning modalities have encountered significant limitations in their implementation and outreach due to frequent blackouts, which disrupt the use of assistive technologies and create unstable learning environments. Basic educational services have also been affected, including school food programmes and water supply, with disruptions in delivery. According to reports, approximately 130,000 students residing in 240 boarding facilities have had to temporarily interrupt their schooling, return home and enrol in nearby schools until conditions allow for the resumption of regular academic activities. The special education system in Cuba has also been strained, with shortages of essential assistive devices and sharply reduced specialized school transportation, due to fuel scarcity and higher import costs.

           Fuel shortages and power constraints have delayed the activities of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme with regard to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources; the Be Resilient project in the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve; and the post‑hurricane needs assessments following Hurricane Melissa related to four UNESCO-designated sites: two biosphere reserves (Baconao and Cuchillas del Toa) and two natural world heritage sites (Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and Desembarco del Granma National Park).

           The sports sector has also been affected, as Cuban athletes and technical staff have repeatedly faced visa denials for competitions in the United States, limiting their participation in international events and opportunities for professional development. This was reflected in the denial of visas for eight members of the Cuban delegation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

           Prolonged power cuts – reaching up to 20 hours a day in some areas – have deeply impacted cultural institutions, halting activities in major theatres in Havana and other provinces and compromising the preservation of museum, archive and library collections. Financial and technological constraints are further restricting cultural creation, circulation and conservation, affecting arts education and weakening creative industries already hit by declining tourism and the cancellation of major events such as the International Book Fair.

           International cooperation is hindered by visa restrictions and the possibility of penalties, which have increased costs and delayed cultural exchange projects. Overall, the cultural community fabric has been severely disrupted: a reported 300 Casas de Cultura have closed or suspended operations, affecting talent development and audience engagement.

           The communications and information technology sector has been severely affected by the deterioration in telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile networks, internet access and radio and television broadcasting. Significant obstacles still hamper software acquisition and export, as well as the securing of fuel for operations and transportation that are needed for infrastructure maintenance.

           Media outlets are facing major disruptions due to recurring electricity and Internet cuts, limited staff access to workplaces and sharply reduced broadcasting hours and publication frequencies. This has undermined access to information and freedom of expression, heightening the risks resulting from a lack of information and from misinformation and disinformation.

           In this situation, the UNESCO office in Havana has been operating under prolonged infrastructural stress, including intermittent power outages, recurring water shortages, ongoing fuel scarcity and a heightened information environment, affecting staff well‑being. Conditions have also caused major communication challenges with partners, resulting in delays in the implementation of UNESCO programmes.

                     United Nations Environment Programme

[Original: English]

[5 March 2026]

           The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) currently implements 10 projects in Cuba within the framework of its medium-term strategy and programme of work. One project operates nationally, while the others are activities that are part of regional or global projects.

           Focus areas include sustainable land management; biosafety capacity-building to implement the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity; water and wastewater management; conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems; safe disposal of hazardous chemicals; and climate resilience and adaptation.

           Cuba participates actively in the governance structures of UNEP, including the United Nations Environment Assembly, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, and the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean.

           The embargo, however, restricts UNEP support. It continues to hamper South-South cooperation, training and technical exchanges, complicates payments to Cuban experts, raises procurement costs, limits access to vertical funds, and constrains online participation due to poor connectivity.

           The impacts extend beyond Cuba; ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds provide services to other countries, but limited resources and cooperation in monitoring migratory species undermine the conservation of shared biodiversity across the region.

           The embargo also affects the ability of Cuba to contribute to the UNEP Environment Fund.

                     United Nations Human Settlements Programme

[Original: English]

[30 March 2026]

           The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) reiterates its support for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4.

           UN-Habitat has maintained programmatic engagement in Cuba since 2001 and has had an in-country presence since the establishment of an office there in 2007. This cooperation supports the Government of Cuba in advancing national development priorities that are aligned with the mandate of UN-Habitat, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and global agendas, including the New Urban Agenda.

           In recent years, UN-Habitat has supported the country in implementing several projects whose priorities are reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the UN-Habitat country programme with the Government of Cuba.

           Current and recent interventions include national and municipal urban planning and management; housing recovery and urban rehabilitation following hurricanes; policy and institutional support in the housing and habitat sector; climate resilience and energy efficiency initiatives at the community level; and the strengthening of local governance capacities in support of decentralization and territorial development.

           The continued implementation of these development-focused initiatives has been affected by constraints associated with the international application of the economic, commercial and financial embargo. These constraints limit financial transactions, procurement channels, access to international markets and the timely acquisition of supplies, equipment, technology and infrastructure essential for urban and territorial development programming. Recent external measures affecting fuel supply chains have further intensified operational limitations, with implications for project delivery timelines, costs and overall implementation risk.

           From a programmatic perspective, the effective implementation of General Assembly resolution 80/4 would contribute to a more enabling operational environment, facilitating development cooperation and supporting the efforts of Cuba to advance the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11 on inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.

                     United Nations Industrial Development Organization

[Original: English]

[13 February 2026]

           Currently, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is supporting the Government of Cuba to promote and develop a competitive industry that meets population needs and improves quality of life for all, through the country programme Cuba (2021–2025).

           The country programme is built around four components, namely: (a) innovation and availability of information; (b) productive transformation; (c) investment and technology transfer; and (d) sustainable management of natural resources and improvement of environmental quality.

           The country programme includes projects in strategic sectors for Cuba’s economic, environmental and social development, such as sustainable food systems, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry advancement, renewable energy, value chain development programmes and the promotion of industrial parks and special economic zones.

           The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is implementing four projects totalling $6.89 million. These initiatives include three national projects: agricultural machinery, circular economy partnerships and the country programme. Additionally, there is one interregional project on an international innovation cluster for biopharmaceutical, medical and nanotechnology sectors.

           The embargo presents constraints on the technical cooperation of UNIDO in Cuba. Complex financial processes have caused delays in project implementation, and supplier options remain limited.

           The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is convinced that without the restrictions caused by the embargo, efforts to promote and develop a competitive and sustainable industry that meets the needs of the population could be more beneficial.

                     United Nations Institute for Training and Research

[Original: English]

[24 April 2026]

           During the reporting period, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research maintained one active non-financial memorandum of understanding with the Raúl Roa García Higher Institute of International Relations. The Institute’s mandate includes the training of specialists in international relations that are required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other national institutions, including the provision of postgraduate and advanced training, as well as the conduct of research and analysis on international relations and foreign policy-related issues.

           No activities were undertaken under this memorandum of understanding during the reporting period.

                     United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

[Original: English]

[4 February 2026]

           The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) facilitates the participation of Cuba in disaster risk reduction knowledge-sharing processes and initiatives through the Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean. It engages Cuba in subregional projects in the Caribbean aimed at strengthening capacities for risk knowledge and disaster risk reduction, disseminating good practices in risk-sensitive investment and strengthening and streamlining early warning systems in the region.

           The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction acknowledges the expertise of Cuba in reducing disaster risks. It commends Cuba for its sustained efforts to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, as well as its support to the Regional Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in the Americas during the high-level meeting for disaster risk reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean in December 2024. UNDRR appreciates the contribution and commitment of Cuba to the midterm review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework, including its submission of a national report and representation in the high-level meeting on the midterm review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework convened by the General Assembly in May 2023 in New York and its participation in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in June 2025 in Geneva.

           Cuba’s cooperation and sharing of expertise within the region is of great importance for the advancement of the disaster risk reduction agenda. Cuba was among the first countries to offer technical assistance to Caribbean countries to cope with the coronavirus disease. It is also one of the countries with expertise in providing early warning systems, as demonstrated during Hurricane Melissa, representing an asset for the implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative and a response to the Secretary-General’s call for global early warning system coverage.

           Cuba is a party to a disaster risk reduction cooperation agreement with other subregional disaster risk reduction intergovernmental organizations (such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, the Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic, the General Secretariat of the Andean Community), as well as Chile, Mexico and the European Union. This partnership aims to strengthen subregional exchanges and cooperation to achieve the Sendai Framework targets and reduce disaster losses.

           Reducing human and economic impacts of disasters will require access to current scientific and technical advances and optimal technology. Due to the increased intensity and frequency of natural hazards in the Caribbean, Cuba would benefit from access to resources from donors and international finance institutions. Current efforts to protect the population against different hazards (biological, environmental, technological, hydro-meteorological and geological, among others) will need to be complemented and enhanced by access to disaster response, health and early warning equipment, risk modelling, adapted infrastructure and relevant information technology.

           The achievement of the Sendai Framework goals is constrained by the impacts of the embargo and the inclusion of Cuba in the list of States sponsors of terrorism, which limits the country’s access to key information, knowledge, technology and assets (including digital platforms and software that are critical in the current operating environment).

                     United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

[Original: English]

[16 March 2026]

           The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has noted the growing presence of organized crime in the Caribbean, given its strategic maritime position linking South America with North America and Europe, which increases exposure to transnational criminal networks and illicit trafficking routes. Emerging trends, including the trafficking of firearms and ammunition, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, cybercrime and widespread corruption are adding complexity to criminal markets and contributing to rising levels of lethal violence across the Caribbean. In response, UNODC has continued expanding its technical assistance programming in the region and actively supporting Member States in addressing these challenges. In this context, UNODC will continue assisting Cuba through constructive engagement and inclusion in regional initiatives.

           Cuba is supported by the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean of UNODC, located in Panama. Ongoing technical assistance to Cuba is provided through programme offices in Barbados and the Dominican Republic, as well as global programmes. These offices coordinate closely with key regional and national partners to support Cuba as part of the broad presence of UNODC in the Caribbean region.

           Since 2019, UNODC has progressively expanded the implementation of the global Passenger and Cargo Control Programme through its airport component in Cuba to address the challenges associated with illicit flows. Implemented in cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organization, the programme strengthens national law enforcement and interdiction capacities, as well as international communication and coordination to detect and disrupt illicit drugs, prohibited goods and high-risk passengers, cargo and mail linked to transnational criminal networks. In Cuba, this support includes Port Control Units at the ports of Mariel and Santiago, as well as strengthened air cargo and passenger controls at José Martí International Airport in Havana and, in 2024, at Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero through joint airport interdiction task forces, with financial support from the Anti‑Crime Capacity Building Program of Canada.

           In addition, UNODC technical assistance has supported the Cuban authorities in investigating cases of cocaine contamination in export containers during trans‑shipment at foreign ports using the “rip-on” modus operandi. These efforts have helped confirm that the illicit substances did not originate in Cuban territory, thereby contributing to the protection of legitimate trade and safeguarding Cuban exports.

           Complementing the efforts of the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, delivered specialized training for airport officers in Havana to strengthen the detection and combat of illicit firearms trafficking, including through X-ray screening, risk profiling and firearms tracing, while also addressing emerging threats such as 3D-printed weapons and dark web trafficking. This in-house cooperation is expected to continue through the first half of 2026.

           Sanctions on Cuba continue to constrain the delivery of specialized equipment, training and the expansion of operations under the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, despite the operational effectiveness demonstrated and the formal request from the national authorities to extend the programme to additional international airports. These limitations not only affect institutional capacity-building but also indirectly impact vulnerable populations, who are often the intended beneficiaries of technical assistance in areas such as public health, crime prevention and access to justice.

           UNODC remains committed to strengthening its collaboration with Cuba in addressing challenges related to drugs and crime. The UNODC Strategic Vision for Latin America and the Caribbean 2022–2025 provides a framework for expanding technical assistance, while the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean continues to identify opportunities to include Cuba in future donor-funded initiatives. The lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo would likely create a more conducive environment for enhancing the operational engagement of UNODC in the country.

                     United Nations Population Fund

[Original: English]

[8 April 2026]

           The prolonged economic, commercial, and financial embargo continues to impact the fundamental rights of the Cuban population, particularly women, adolescents and young people, by restricting their access to essential sexual and reproductive health services. These adverse effects are manifested in acute shortages of medicines, supplies and sexual and reproductive health services. Additionally, delays in procuring sexual and reproductive health commodities from international suppliers have hindered the provision of essential services for survivors of gender-based violence, pregnant women in maternity homes and people with sexually transmitted infections. These logistical constraints directly challenge the achievement of the country programme’s expected results, especially the positive impact of policy advocacy and capacity-building initiatives.

           The already fragile context in Cuba has been severely exacerbated by the United States Executive Order of January 2026, which blocked all petroleum deliveries. Over the last two months, the health sector, including in relation to the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services, has weakened considerably. The pace of recovery following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 has decelerated significantly. Major disruptions are anticipated in the transportation and distribution of essential supplies, particularly medicines and contraceptives. Furthermore, widespread fuel scarcity is already inducing localized operational paralysis, severely impeding the ability of the United Nations to respond.

           The permanence of Cuba on the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism in 2025 significantly impacted the country in terms of both tourism and the delivery of health commodities and supplies, as international freight companies are banned from transporting goods to listed countries.

           The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working to mobilize additional resources to help mitigate the effects of embargo-related measures on the availability of sexual and reproductive health supplies, including contraceptives, condoms and supplies for the Mother-and-Child Care Programme.

           UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to supporting the efforts of Cuba to sustain the progress achieved in sexual, reproductive and maternal health, including access to family planning, and in robust data generation. The procurement of medical supplies and contraceptives is established as a core strategic priority within the tenth country programme document, for the period 2026–2030, which was approved by the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Population Fund/United Nations Office for Project Services in January 2026. UNFPA continues to strengthen its multi-stakeholder cooperation with Governments, academia, donors, international agencies and civil society in alignment with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development.

                     Universal Postal Union

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

           Cuba is a fully-fledged member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and enjoys the same rights and obligations as any other UPU member country.

           Cuba currently serves as a member of the UPU Postal Operations Council, following the elections that took place on 18 September 2025 during the twenty-eighth UPU Congress held at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

           Cuba regularly benefits from postal development assistance provided within the framework of UPU technical cooperation activities. In terms of relevant developments since 27 March 2025, the following activities may be highlighted:

        • Cuba participated in the Post-Customs Strategy Meeting, held in the Dominican Republic in June 2025, and in the Postal Leaders Forum, held in Uruguay in October 2025.

        • Cuba also participated in the UPU regional workshop on disaster risk management for Latin America, held in Mexico in July 2025.

        • The Head of Postal Services at the Ministry of Communications of Cuba was granted a fellowship under the capacity-building project on women’s empowerment to attend the twenty-eighth UPU Congress.

           UPU reiterates that it has not encountered difficulties in implementing the aforementioned assistance or undertaking any other joint activities with Cuba as a result of the embargo imposed by the United States of America.

                     World Food Programme

[Original: English]

[25 March 2026]

                            Context

           For over 60 years, Cuba’s comprehensive social protection programmes have significantly reduced hunger and poverty. The country is ranked ninety-seventh on the human development index of the United Nations Development Programme, but was ranked seventy-third in 2020.

           Since the 1990s, Cuba has faced severe economic crises with long-lasting effects on food security and nutrition. After the adoption of two important measures in 2021 and 2022 – monetary reform and the food sovereignty and security law – Cuba has continued efforts to stabilize its economy, though with limited success. Access to essential goods, particularly food, remains a significant concern. Household purchasing power has sharply declined due to stagnant nominal wages and pensions, coupled with five consecutive years of persistent inflation. Domestic food production has struggled due to shortages of investment, inputs and fuel, preventing the country from reaching planned targets. Additionally, hard currency constraints have prevented the food distribution system from meeting domestic demand through imports.

           In recent years, the Cuban economy has exhibited greater instability in its gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, with a cumulative contraction of 15% compared to 2018, of which 5% between 2024 and 2025 only. Cuba ranks among the three countries with the lowest GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean.

           The World Food Programme (WFP) has been working in Cuba since 1963 to support vulnerable people and government efforts to promote food security and nutrition. To address increasing needs, WFP has expanded its operations across the country, with a permanent presence in six provinces in addition to Havana.

           Currently, the WFP programme in Cuba focuses on capacity-building and augmentation, using different transfer modalities to address critical food and nutrition needs of targeted populations. To improve efficiency, WFP supports national and local authorities in transitioning to more sustainable and targeted social protection systems, with a particular focus on strengthening their food and nutrition-related components as well as resilience-building and supply chain architecture.

                            Effects of the United States embargo

           Throughout 2025 and the beginning of 2026, the United States embargo and a set of reinforced unilateral measures continued to have severe economic repercussions for Cuba, as well as operational challenges for WFP.

           Since 29 January 2026, with the issuance by the United States of an executive order imposing tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba, effectively strengthening the fuel embargo, Cuba has faced widespread blackouts, hospitals struggle to operate and in-country transport is almost at a full stop.

           The high costs of importing agricultural equipment, inputs and food and non‑food items, combined with financial transaction difficulties, have directly impacted Cuba’s ability to meet its food requirements. This places a significant burden on the national budget, threatens those most reliant on social protection programmes and exacerbates food security challenges.

           Even before the January 2026 executive order, Cuba was unable to secure sufficient fuel for both individual consumption (transportation, public transport, private vehicles) and national consumption (power generation), leading to extended nationwide blackouts and disruptions to essential services.

           While these measures have a direct impact on the vulnerability level of the population, the embargo also affects WFP operations, limiting its ability to procure services and products from United States-based companies, businesses using products containing a proportion of United States components greater than 10%, or firms processing payments through United States subsidiaries.

           Furthermore, the procurement and shipment of food and non-food commodities, including fortified foods supplied by WFP, face delays due to the limited availability of shipping companies willing to dock in Cuban ports. As a result, shipments often require trans-shipment through neighbouring countries, leading to additional costs and delays affecting WFP deliveries.

           WFP operations in Cuba also struggle with higher costs due to restricted access to competitively priced equipment and supplies. Many regional and international suppliers are either unwilling or unable to sell directly to Cuba, impacting essential goods such as vehicles, spare parts, office materials and specialized technical equipment. Additionally, voice and data communications remain extremely costly as they must circumvent United States telecommunications infrastructure.

           Banking transactions are another significant challenge. Restrictions imposed by the embargo limit financial institutions’ ability to conduct transactions with Cuba, affecting payments for staff salaries and entitlements, as well as WFP operational expenditure.

                     World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization

[Original: English]

[19 March 2026]

           This submission, prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to General Assembly resolution 80/4, entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, addresses certain issues regarding the effects of the embargo on public health and on the technical cooperation of WHO with Cuba since June 2025.

           The embargo has had a negative impact on the Cuban health sector, mainly due to the difficulties caused in acquiring medicines, raw materials for the local production of essential medicines, instruments, spare parts for medical equipment, reagents and other supplies necessary for the operation of the sector, thus impacting the operational capacity of the health services and the effectiveness of access to and quality of health services for the population. This includes impacts on other sectors that are determinants of health, such as food security and nutrition. Sources of financing for the health sector are also limited.

           Although the Government of the United States has stated that the embargo permits humanitarian goods to be shipped to Cuba, in certain cases United States companies have overcomplied and have declined to supply vaccines, life-saving medication and other supplies to WHO when they are procured for Cuba. Certain banks have also refused to facilitate payment, and the difficulties for financial transactions to and from Cuban banks routinely affect the effectiveness of technical cooperation with the country and increase operational costs.

                     World Intellectual Property Organization

[Original: English]

[22 January 2026]

           As a result of the embargo, the following circumstances have been observed as an obstacle to the advancement of Cuba in the field of intellectual property, and directly impact on its technological, social, and economic development.

           By restricting access of Cuban citizens to the United States of America, the embargo limits the possibilities of human resources development on American soil. As a result, specialized Cuban professionals may not fully benefit from higher specialization opportunities in the field of intellectual property, especially available in the United States of America. These include, notably, aspects on intellectual property asset management, intellectual property offices management, and opportunities to become acquainted with successful experiences in the implementation of technology transfer offices, technology management, intellectual property valuation and intellectual property collateralization.

           Visa restrictions hinder the possibilities of Cuban intellectual property professionals to participate in WIPO training programmes, meetings and other events in the United States of America.

           Increased restrictions on access for Cuban citizens connecting from intellectual property addresses in Cuba to platforms and web services supplied, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by United States companies, such as Google Cloud, Zoom and WebEx, have enormously restricted the participation of Cuban representatives in many virtual meetings and capacity-building activities organized by WIPO. This restriction prevents authorities and users in Cuba from accessing global public publication platforms such as Espacenet and Latipat-Espacenet (European Patent Office), in the framework of which Cuba actively participates by providing their patent data and sharing relevant information.

           Poor telecommunication facilities also have a negative impact on and obstruct the access of Cuban nationals to WIPO online databases and other digital services. This situation, in particular with regard to the online access to global intellectual property databases, including Patentscope (patent information) and the Global Brand Database, only available through the Internet, is detrimental to the advancement of technological research and other innovation programmes carried out by of Cuba in the field of environmental, medical and life sciences, bio and nano-technologies, and limits knowledge of the behaviour of brands in potential export markets.

           The embargo affects the availability of information technology equipment and software for the performance of administrative operations regarding filing-granting procedures, in particular patent and trademarks search and examination services. Although the country is administratively equipped to perform such functions due to a capillary presence of provincial branches of the Cuban Industrial Property Office, the lack of specialized software critically hinders such performance. External procurement formalities to obtain the required equipment and software are extremely burdensome. This situation continues to cumulatively delay the services rendered by these offices and prevents their expansion. Most importantly, this situation stifles the possibility to take advantage of the functionalities available under the Intellectual Property Automated System (IPAS) of WIPO, since some of the system’s operating tools are not freely accessible for users in Cuba. The possibilities of expansion and customization of IPAS to the needs of Cuban users are seriously compromised.

           The extraterritorial effects of the embargo also extend to the financial arena. Payments from Cuba to WIPO under the WIPO-administered Treaties (Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid System) may be effected only in Euros or Swiss francs to avoid the restrictions imposed by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control. Likewise, payments from WIPO to the Cuban Industrial Property Office must be made in the same currencies. The cost of these indirect transactions for the purpose of avoiding the banks in the United States, amounts to considerable financial losses and discourages the use by Cuban nationals of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and Madrid System.

           The financial implications of the embargo extend to the payment of copyright royalties based on the rights granted by the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. Several national banks cannot receive or send deposits from and to the Cuban collective management society of authors. The exercise of rights based on the Convention through reciprocal representation agreements is not possible between the Cuban and United States collective management societies.

                     World Meteorological Organization

[Original: English]

[13 February 2026]

           In the framework of the activities of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Office for the Americas and other departments of the Organization, Cuba is often represented in meetings, courses and workshops, exchange of meteorological and hydrological data, and projects covering the Caribbean and Central America. Except for the impossibility for Cuba to use the Zoom platform for virtual meetings with Regional Association IV Members, and the problems inherent in bank transfers for some meeting participants, during 2025 WMO has not encountered any inconvenience or limitation regarding Cuba on regional scientific collaboration.

                     World Tourism Organization

[Original: English]

[14 March 2026]

           The January 2026 edition of the World Tourism Barometer of the World Tourism Organization highlights a stark divergence between Cuba and its regional peers. While international tourist arrivals in the Americas have nearly returned to pre‑pandemic levels (standing at 0.6 per cent below the 2019 level), visitor arrivals to Cuba for 2025 remain 56.5 per cent lower than in 2019. The pace of economic recovery is further compromised by the decline in international tourism receipts. Whereas the Americas recorded a 16.6 per cent increase in receipts in 2024 compared with 2019, the tourism income of Cuba remained 49.3 per cent below 2019 levels. These trends suggest that the persistent measures affecting the sector are a primary factor in the slow recovery of Cuban tourism compared with the broader resilience observed in the Americas.

           This performance gap may be associated with the ongoing economic, commercial and financial embargo. The existing restrictions on travel, together with limitations affecting international travellers, constitute a structural challenge for the Cuban tourism industry. These measures may limit the sector’s capacity to recover fully and maximize its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The easing or lifting of these restrictive measures would serve as a significant enabling factor in strengthening sector performance and supporting the long-term economic growth of Cuba.

                     World Trade Organization

[Original: English]

[13 February 2026]

           The functions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are defined in the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement. Its preamble stresses the desirability of arrangements directed at the substantial reduction of tariffs and other barriers to trade.

           In the period covered (June 2025 to February 2026), the issue referred to in resolution 80/4 was raised orally at the WTO General Council meeting on 6 and 7 October 2025 (WT/GC/M/220). Cuba stated that the economic, trade and financial embargo was in its view the main obstacle to its national development and trade relations with third countries.

           The issue was raised in the annual report submitted by Cuba on 28 November 2025 to the WTO General Council (WT/L/1227) on the waiver extension granted under a General Council decision of 2021 (WT/L/1128). The waiver was granted to Cuba under a 1996 decision (WT/L/182) in relation to article XV:6 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Cuba noted that the circumstances justifying the waiver extension had, in its view, continued to worsen.

         IV.   Replies received from entities and organizations that have received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly

                     Common Fund for Commodities

[Original: English]

[19 February 2026]

           The Common Fund for Commodities, an intergovernmental financial institution mandated to support commodity development in developing countries, submits the present report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations concerning the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. The Common Fund for Commodities notes, in line with assessments by relevant international entities, the adverse effects of these unilateral measures on Cuba’s commodity sector and their implications for economic development and human rights. It must be emphasized that constraints on this sector disproportionately impact smallholder producers, and such damage to their livelihoods creates a chain of livelihood challenges for other low-income sections of society, deepening cycles of poverty.

           The General Assembly, including in its resolution 80/4, has consistently expressed the position of the international community regarding the continuation of the embargo. This position is aligned with the principles of fair trade and equitable development that underpin the mandate of the Common Fund for Commodities. Measures reinforced by the Helms-Burton Act of 1996 raise concerns in relation to principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and freedom of international trade, which are of particular relevance to commodity-dependent economies.

           The Common Fund for Commodities takes note of the view of Member States on the negative impact of unilateral measures on the enjoyment of human rights, including concerns regarding the compatibility of such measures with international law. The extraterritorial application of unilateral sanctions is noted as affecting Cuba’s ability to engage fully in international trade, finance and investment.

           The Common Fund for Commodities observes that the embargo has constrained Cuba’s access to international commodity markets, limited financial transactions related to trade and discouraged potential trading partners due to compliance risks. These factors have posed challenges to economic development, sustainable development efforts and poverty reduction. At the same time, Cuba has demonstrated progress in certain sectors, including healthcare, as evidenced by vaccine research and production during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, indicating potential for increased participation in international markets under improved conditions.

           Away from politics and conflict, our appeal is fundamentally rooted in how we can alleviate poverty in Cuba by harnessing the latent potential of its commodities. The Common Fund for Commodities further notes that the continuation of the embargo, together with the designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, has implications for development, trade and the realization of human rights, including in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, the Common Fund for Commodities takes note of calls by Member States, as reflected in resolution 80/4, for the lifting of the embargo. The removal of unilateral coercive measures would facilitate Cuba’s fuller participation in international commodity markets and support a more inclusive and sustainable global trading system.

                     International Civil Defence Organization

[Original: English]

[10 February 2026]

           The International Civil Defence Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a humanitarian and technical mandate, aimed at supporting its member States in strengthening national civil defence and civil protection systems, enhancing preparedness for emergencies and disasters and developing professional capacities through training, education and technical cooperation.

           In the implementation of its mandate, the Organization has observed that certain external economic and financial constraints may affect its ability to fully deliver training activities, capacity-building programmes and technical assistance for some Member States, including in areas related to disaster preparedness, emergency response and risk reduction. Such constraints may have practical implications for the organization of training courses, the provision of equipment and materials and the facilitation of expert exchanges and international cooperation activities.

           In particular, limitations related to financial transactions, procurement procedures and logistical arrangements may create additional challenges for the timely and effective implementation of the Organization’s educational programmes and operational support activities, which are essential for strengthening national capacities in the field of civil defence and emergency management.

           The Organization underlines that its activities are carried out strictly within a humanitarian, non-political and technical framework, with the sole objective of supporting the safety, resilience and well-being of populations through improved preparedness and response mechanisms. The Organization remains committed to cooperating with the United Nations system and its Member States in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

                     Inter-Parliamentary Union

[Original: English]

[19 January 2026]

           The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) upholds the provisions of the IPU resolution adopted at the 104th Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Jakarta on 20 October 2000, titled “Are embargoes and economic sanctions still ethically acceptable, do they still work, and are they suited to achieving their purpose in an ever more globalized world?” In accordance with this resolution, the IPU reiterates that “unilateral sanctions inflict unwarranted suffering on the people of the countries concerned” and reaffirms its opposition to “the adoption, by a State or groups of States, of laws or other measures with extraterritorial effect which are aimed at obliging third party States or their nationals to apply economic sanctions adopted by it.”

           Moreover, in line with the IPU resolution on “The role of parliament in respecting the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States”, adopted at the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka on 5 April 2017, the IPU underscores that “the people of each country have the inalienable right to determine their own political future, and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, in accordance with international law”.

           Through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action, the IPU works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development, and continues to serve as the premier multilateral forum for parliamentary dialogue.

           In prior years, the IPU has applauded Cuban and American attempts to normalize their relations through dialogue. We strongly hope that dialogue will be given pride of place to resolve the outstanding matter of Cuba’s inclusion in the United States’ list of countries sponsoring terrorist activities. The IPU believes that parliamentary diplomacy can also serve as a tool to foster cooperation and is hopeful that the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba can be finally lifted through diplomatic means.

           The Inter-Parliamentary Union reaffirms its support for the end of the United States embargo on Cuba and expresses its sympathy with the Cuban people, who continue to suffer from its effects.