New York, March 18, 2024.- Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, welcomed, this afternoon, Ambassador Gerardo Peñalver Portal, first vice minister of Foreign Affairs and permanent representative of Cuba to the United Nations, who concludes his diplomatic mission in New York.
During the exchange, held at the UN headquarters, both parties discussed issues of common interest from the multilateral agenda.
The Secretary General highlighted Cuba's work and activism at the multilateral level, especially in the context of its chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, in 2023.
Guterres availed the opportunity to signify Cuba's commitment to the United Nations System and multilateralism.
Peñalver Portal thanked the United Nations Secretary General and its Secretariat for the permanent support provided during the performance of his duties.
The Cuban diplomat also referred to the efforts carried out by Cuba to update its economic and social development model and advance in the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda, efforts that, according to the Cuban Ambassador, are hindered by the genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, and the arbitrary inclusion of the Greater of the Antilles in the list of countries that supposedly sponsor terrorism.
Likewise, the Vice Minister at the Cuban Chancery informed the United Nations top leader about Washington's recent failed efforts to suffocate Cuba´s economy, cause hardship to the population and encourage demonstrations of discontent and violent actions.
Among the participants at the meeting, on the Cuban side were ambassadors Yuri Gala López and Yusnier Romero Puentes, deputy permanent representatives of Cuba to United Nations, Counselor Alejandro González Behmaras, and First Secretary Martha García Hernández.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations