Ambassador Do Hung Viet, head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, urged member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to uphold the spirit of unity and to firmly raise their voices against the blockade and sanctions imposed on Cuba, in defense of the organization's founding principles. His remarks were delivered during the NAM meeting held on May 27 in New York, United States.
The meeting was convened to hear Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla provide an update on the situation in the Caribbean island. The Vietnamese ambassador expressed Vietnam's deep solidarity with the challenges facing the Cuban people. He emphasized that unilateral coercive measures have exacerbated Cuba's economic and social difficulties amid increasing international pressure.
The diplomat reaffirmed Vietnam's opposition to these measures, describing them as contrary to fundamental principles of international law, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, freedom of international trade and navigation, and the right of each nation to choose its own path of development. He also rejected any threat or use of force against Cuba and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are the only correct and sustainable means of resolving differences, avoiding tensions that undermine regional and international peace and security.
The head of the Vietnamese delegation recalled that solidarity with peoples subjected to pressure and injustice has always been a core value of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In this regard, he called on member states to continue promoting unity and support for the Cuban people. He further reiterated the traditional bonds of friendship and trust between Vietnam and Cuba, assuring that his country will continue to support the island through cooperation in areas such as food security, agricultural development, and renewable energy.
For his part, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed his gratitude for the solidarity and support of NAM member countries, while denouncing the serious consequences of the blockade and sanctions, particularly the coercive measures targeting energy supplies and the secondary sanctions against entities in third countries. He noted that these actions create severe difficulties for the economy and the daily lives of the population, especially in essential sectors such as energy, food, and health, reinforcing the need for international unity in the face of such policies.
In an open debate of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Do Hung Viet also expressed Vietnam's concern regarding the increasing coercive measures applied against Cuba, which include the threat of the use of force.