Dear Ambassadors, distinguished colleagues:
Since May 2, with the activation of Titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act, the Government of the United States has implemented new aggressive measures against Cuba, as part of its policy of intensifying the economic, commercial and financial blockade that it has imposed against my country for 57 years.
The Helms-Burton Act, since its entry into force in 1996, has sought to universalize the extraterritorial application of the blockade on Cuba, through the use of illegal pressures exerted by the United States against third countries, their governments and their companies. This law seeks to suffocate Cuba´s economy. According to its own letter, it is intended to impose on Cuba a government that serves the interests of the United States.
Despite passing this Act in 1996, all U.S. administrations have suspended since then the application of Titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act due to the damages that such application may cause to the corporate interests in that country and the strong opposition of the international community against its implementation, including their closest allies, due to its illegal and extraterritorial scope.
Dear colleagues:
Title III of the Helms-Burton Act allows legal actions to be brought before U.S. courts against Cuban and foreign entities and against third country businesspersons who have invested in Cuba or have businesses of any kind involving assets or properties nationalized by Cuba.
Title IV aims at intensifying all the impediments for entry into the United States of those executives of companies, and their relatives, that legally invest in Cuba in properties that were nationalized.
The Helms-Burton Act rests on two fundamental lies: the idea that nationalizations carried out shortly after the triumph of the Revolution in January 1959 were illegitimate and inappropriate, and that Cuba is a threat to the U.S. national security.
Cuban nationalizations were carried out in accordance with Cuban laws, in strict adherence to the Constitution of our country and in conformity with the International Law. All nationalizations provided for just and adequate compensation processes, which the United States government refused to consider. Cuba reached and honored global compensation agreements with other nations that are presently investing in Cuba, such as Spain, Switzerland, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and France.
Cuba has always been willing and open to dialogue. We have reiterated our willingness to seek for a solution to mutual compensations and claims. However, our government and our people will not enter into negotiations that may imply the renunciation of our principles and the sovereign right to choose our own path.
The Helms-Burton Act is illegal and inapplicable. Consequently, any claim filed under this law by any natural or legal person, regardless of their citizenship or nationality, will be rendered null by Cuba.
Dear colleagues,
The Helms-Burton Act contravenes the UN Charter and the precepts of International Law, including the precepts of the World Trade Organization. It seeks to reserve Cuba’s economic assets for the interests of large U.S. transnational corporations and intends to further hinder the legitimate relations of Cuba with its partners around the world.
In accordance with the UN Charter, the UN General Assembly has clearly expressed every year its near- unanimous rejection against this illegal and absurd policy with your support of the resolution calling for the lifting of the U.S. blockade against Cuba. For that, the people of Cuba will be eternally grateful to you.
Cuba is a peaceful small developing island state committed to improve the living standards of its people, which advocates the good relations of coexistence among neighbors, based at all times on mutual respect and the non-interference in internal affairs. We do not have armies or troops stationed worldwide. However, we do offer our expertise and human resources to those who request them. Cuba is not and will never be a threat to the U.S. national security.
The new aggressive measures of the U.S government against Cuba pose additional obstacles to our economic development goals, and thus to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. Nevertheless, the United States will continue to fail in its goal to forcefully subdue the sovereign will of Cubans and our determination to build a prosperous and sustainable socialism.
Dear colleagues,
I wish to conclude by reiterating Cuba’s commitment to the Group of 77 and China, its principles and values.
Thank you very much