Dear Friends,
First of all, I want to thank all of you to be here celebrating with us 66 years of the triumph of Cuban Revolution, led by our Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and that we have assumed the commitment to the continuity of Fidel's thought and preserve the great objectives of the construction of socialism.
January 1, 2025, Cuba celebrates the 66th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, which totally transformed Cuban society by eradicating the corruption and social inequality, racial and religious discrimination, among others. Cuba eradicated illiteracy and guaranteed for the first time, among other things, free access for all to quality health, education and sports.
During this year 2024 Cuba has faced great challenges: energy crisis, 2 high intensity hurricanes have hit the island causing human losses, damage to agriculture, construction and economic infrastructure, several seismic events that have affected the eastern part of the country, causing significant structural and economic losses.
Like you well know and we have said in many occasions, the main reason of the economic crisis in Cuba is the permanence of the American blockade against us.
And also this year the US government has not only maintained the laws and provisions related to the blockade against Cuba and the traditional practices for its implementation, but its actions have been aimed at identifying and pursuing, in a surgical manner and by means of a perfected coercive design, the main sources of income of the Cuban economy, in addition to the application of the provisions of the so-called Helms-Burton Act, including those stipulating its extraterritorial scope.
Among the most severe measures are the permanence of Cuba on the unilateral and arbitrary list of the U.S. Department of State of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism; The continued existence of sanctions or threats of sanctions against shipping companies, carriers, insurers or reinsurers involved in the supply of fuel to Cuba; the intense and meticulous persecution of Cuban financial transactions and the consequent obstacles to the supply of basic resources for the population and the functioning of the economy; the defamatory campaigns against the solidarity cooperation that Cuba offers, particularly in the area of health; as well as the continuity of other unilateral lists, which entail the application of coercive measures against our country.
The blockade of the United States against Cuba violates International Law. It is contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It constitutes a violation of the right to peace, development and self-determination of a sovereign State. It also transgresses the sovereign rights of other States, due to its extraterritorial nature.
But Despite the blockade imposed by the United States and the complex situation facing the country, Cuba has achieved goals of justice that continue to be an aspiration for millions of people in the world.
Our goal is to work and promote the main political, economic and social tasks, the government projections, in the fulfillment of the technical-economic plans with greater efficiency. The times we are living are intense and difficult, but despite these adversities, Cuba is growing and continuing development the country.
Also we are aware of the possible implications associated with the arrival to power in the United States of a new government in which politicians with very aggressive intentions against Cuba will have great influence.
In this context Cuba’s foreign policy continues to rest on positions of principle, on the anti-imperialist struggle, on the defense of peace, on the promotion of solidarity and internationalism, on the search for relations of friendship and cooperation with all countries.
We appreciate the admiration and respect for my country, which we have felt at all levels in Sri Lanka and we tell you that Cuba thanks for that.
On the eve of a new anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution that made us truly free, independent and sovereign, and which we will never renounce , we congratulate all of you and people of Sri Lanka for a new year 2025
We will continue along the path of friendship and solidarity between Cuba and Sri Lanka.
Long live the friendship between Sri Lanka and Cuba
Thanks