Mr. President,
We reiterate our heartfelt condolences and express our full solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of Venezuela in the wake of the tragic consequences of the recent earthquakes.
Cuban health professionals serving in Venezuela have been fully mobilized and are providing medical assistance to the affected population.
It is the responsibility of this Council to promote respectful dialogue and genuine cooperation with States in accordance with the principles of impartiality, non-politicization and non-interference.
Cuba rejects any interventionist action against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela or against any other country.
We reaffirm our principled position against the imposition of punitive mechanisms without the consent of the country concerned.
We call for the immediate lifting of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Venezuelan people, which undermine their living conditions and violate their human rights.
We encourage the Office of the High Commissioner to continue its engagement with the Venezuelan authorities on the basis of mutually agreed mechanisms that ensure respectful dialogue and constructive cooperation, with full respect for the sovereignty of that country.
Thank you.