Mr. President,
Cuba rejects this hostile and interventionist exercise against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
More than two months after the gravest violations of the UN Charter and international law, including international human rights law, committed by the Government of the United States through its illegal military aggression against Venezuela, this Council has taken no action in response to such serious events.
Instead, today we are witnessing this debate on a mechanism imposed without the consent of Venezuela, which responds to a political agenda that uses human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign State.
The Council cannot be an instrument of coercion against countries of the Global South.
The financial resources of this body must not continue to be squandered on costly interventionist mechanisms that have proven to be entirely ineffective, as they hinder the dialogue and cooperation that should prevail in this forum.
A serious debate on Venezuela must unequivocally condemn the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the human rights of the Venezuelan people, as well as the systematic aggressions that that country has suffered.
It must also encourage respectful dialogue and genuine cooperation, in accordance with the principles of impartiality, non-politicisation, and non-interference.
Cuba reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela.
Thank you very much.