Ms. President,
We welcome the presence in the Room of the Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Comrade Yván Gil.
My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as those to be delivered by Uganda on behalf of NAM, and Colombia, on behalf of CELAC.
Our commitment to eradicating poverty in all its forms and manifestations is firm and longstanding. As a country that has suffered the consequences of colonialism, we reiterate our deep solidarity with the countries and peoples who still suffer from it.
In particular, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the independence of the Puerto Rican people, with whom we share a history of struggles against colonial domination. The centuries-old brotherhood between the two islands transcends geographic proximity. We are also united by the idiosyncrasies of our peoples, as well as by historical and cultural ties.
Ms. President,
As the colonial power, the United States is trying by all means to entrench its economic, political, and social dominance over Puerto Rico.
July 25, 2025, will mark 127 years since the United States intervened in Puerto Rico. Despite more than a century passing, the United States has not been able to erase the culture and characteristics of Puerto Ricans, who have kept their roots and unmistakable national identity alive.
The Commonwealth imposed on Puerto Rico more than 70 years ago was a mere setup by the United States government to exercise total domination over this sister island.
The United States Congress has full authority and power over Puerto Rico in matters such as defense, international relations, and foreign trade, while Puerto Rico has limited local authority. This is intended to mask an act of clear colonial domination.
The U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, and the administration itself have dismantled this political farce by clearly and unequivocally pointing out that Puerto Rico lacks sovereignty and is completely subject to Washington's powers. In other words, it is a U.S. possession and colonial territory. Puerto Rican patriots and others, like Cuba, have denounced this situation and invariably support their just cause.
The current colonial status prevents the Puerto Rican people from deciding for themselves how to address their serious economic and social problems, including devastating hurricanes. The privatization of essential services, such as the country's electricity generation and distribution system, has also affected the population.
In addition, Cuba is concerned that the Fiscal Oversight Board, created by the PROMESA Act, will intensify Puerto Rico's colonial subordination instead of leading the Puerto Rican people toward exercising their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
Ms. President,
Cuba remains committed to the sustained aspiration of a free and independent Puerto Rico. The definitive solution for Puerto Rico’s fate is not an internal matter for the United States, but rather a matter for the Special Committee on Decolonization and the entire international community to decide.
CELAC's historical heritage ratifies Puerto Rico's Latin American and Caribbean character and reaffirms that this is a matter of great interest to the community. Similarly, the outcome document of the 19th NAM Summit of Heads of State and Government affirms the right of Puerto Ricans to self-determination and independence in accordance with Resolution 1514.
The United Nations General Assembly should comprehensively consider this question and issue an immediate pronouncement. The colonial status of Puerto Rico must be resolved promptly and in accordance with the UN mandate.
We reiterate our solidarity with Puerto Rico. You can count on our unwavering commitment to defending your right to self-determination and independence.
Thank you