- Letter from Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’ Affaires at the Cuban Permanent Mission to UN, addressed to H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74 General Assembly of the United Nations
H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
President of the General Assembly
United Nations
New York
Excellency,
I have the honor of addressing you as the President of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly to draw your attention to the serious shooting terrorist attack perpetrated against the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to the United States of America, on Thursday, 30 April 2020.
That day, at 2:05 a.m., Cuban-born citizen Alexander Alazo Baró fired 32 shots with a semi-automatic assault rifle at the Embassy building, where 10 officials and diplomats were present at the time. This serious incident endangered the lives and safety of the Embassy staff and their families. There was material damage to the building resulting from the impact of numerous shots.
The Government of the United States has chosen not to condemn nor reject this serious terrorist attack. Its complicit silence encourages the execution of similar actions by violent individuals and groups existing in the United States itself.
The perpetrator of the attack was detained by local authorities at the scene and remains in their custody. We have publicly appreciated the professional conduct and rapid response of the local police forces and the Secret Service at the moment of the attack, who rushed to the scene.
At noon on April 30 itself, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs convened and held a meeting with the Chargé d' Affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana to express his strongest protest against the serious terrorist attack. So far, there has been no official public statement from the State Department. Its official reaction to the Cuban Government was only processed through diplomatic channels almost 5 days after the event.
Alexander Alazo Baró planned the attack with enough time in advance, he was the holder of a license to carry firearms, he owned a Glock pistol; he got an AK-47 rifle before the attack and two weeks before, he visited the crime scene for reconnaissance purposes. He went from the state of Pennsylvania to the premises of the Cuban Embassy carrying the firearm and ammunition. The Government of the United States infringed its obligation of preventing this attack of which there were sufficient signs.
This terrorist act is the direct result of the US Government aggressive and hateful policy and speeches against Cuba and the permanent incitement to violence by US politicians, including senior officials from the State Department and the US Embassy in Havana; as well as anti-Cuban extremist groups who have made this kind of attacks a means of living.
It is not possible to dissociate a fact like this from the tightening of the illegal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America, which includes unconventional measures, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, which affects the entire planet. We must say that the US campaign against the international medical cooperation and its slanders against the Cuban health personnel in third countries is also an incitement to violence against them, as we had already demonstrated months ago.
For Cuba, this is a serious event, occurring in the capital of a country where a significant number of diplomatic missions are present. The silence of the United States Government can become a stimulus for those who identify diplomatic headquarters as targets of violent attacks or terrorism.
There is a serious historical record of violent and hostile acts, including terrorist acts against Cuban diplomatic officials based in the United States, both at the headquarters in Washington and at its Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York. It should be recalled, for example, that the Cuban diplomat Félix García Rodríguez was murdered in New York on 11 September 1980 and that direct attacks with explosive devices were carried out against the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Cuba in that city. Groups and individuals who have committed terrorist acts against Cuba in the past are operating, and have operated, with impunity on United States territory for years, which is fully known to the United States Government's law enforcement agencies.
The General Assembly has reiterated in multiple occasions its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes.
We recall that resolution 74/194 "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2019, calls upon all States to take further measures, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant provisions of international law, to prevent terrorism and strengthen international cooperation.
It also calls upon all States, with the aim of enhancing the effective implementation of relevant legal instruments, to intensify, as and where appropriate, the exchange of information on facts related to terrorism and, in so doing, to avoid the dissemination of inaccurate or unverified information; and, in accordance with their obligations under applicable international law and the Charter, to deny safe haven to and bring to justice perpetrators of terrorist acts or those who support, facilitate, participate or attempt to participate in the financing, planning or preparation of terrorist acts.
In view of the above, I would highly appreciate if you could issue, in your capacity as President of the General Assembly, a statement condemning such act, taking also into account the strong position of the General Assembly against international terrorism; and also if you would circulate this letter as an official document of the General Assembly.
I take this opportunity, Excellency, to renew the assurances of my highest consideration.
Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal
Ambassador
Deputy Permanent Representative
Chargé d’ Affaires
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations