Geneva, 2 June 2026. Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts of the UN Human Rights Council issued a Joint Communiqué expressing their rejection of the escalation of threats, coercive measures and the use of justice as a weapon by the United States against Cuba.
"Attempts to alter the constitutional order of a sovereign state through threats and coercion are reminiscent of colonial-era practices." "The U.S. president's statements about the 'honor of taking Cuba' reflect a deeply troubling strategy of coercion against a sovereign state. This statement is not mere rhetoric, but part of a broader strategy that includes the long-standing embargo against Cuba, its inclusion in the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the recent fuel blockade and the imposition of coercive measures on third parties," they said.
They describe the recent accusation of the United States government against Army General Raúl Castro as a violation of the principles of sovereign equality and self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter and as a misuse of national judicial procedures against current or former heads of state, as an instrument of coercive foreign policy.
They also noted that the announcement of the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the southern Caribbean is an additional element of unlawful coercion, in contravention of Articles 2(4) and 2(7) of the Charter of the United Nations, as interpreted by the International Court of Justice.
In their public statement, the Experts and Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council called for the implementation of several practical actions:
The U.S. government must immediately cease all threats against Cuba's sovereignty and revoke unilateral coercive measures.
UN member states should refrain from recognizing or implementing such measures and take action at the UN to uphold the international legal order.
The UN Security Council and General Assembly must urgently address threats against Cuba as an issue affecting international peace and security.
The Communiqué was issued by George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order; Zaina Jallad, Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights and Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights.