Freetown, October 2, 2026.- The Honorable Jeneba J. Bangura, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, received Her Excellency Norma Sánchez Águila, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba accredited to the country, at the Ministry’s headquarters.
During the courtesy visit, Ambassador Sánchez Águila personally congratulated the Deputy Minister on her appointment and underscored the commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
The diplomat also provided a comprehensive update on the difficult economic situation Cuba is facing due to the blockade policy imposed by the United States for nearly seventy years, as well as the current energy blockade—which has exacerbated the Cuban people's basic living conditions since late January.
During the exchange, he also emphasized that Cuba poses no threat to the security and stability of the United States or any other nation, and warned of concerted efforts by Washington to foment conflict, discontent, and internal destabilization on the island, aiming thereby to create a pretext to “justify” potential military action against the Caribbean nation.
She was able to discuss the key elements of the report that Cuba will present to the United Nations General Assembly on October 27 and 28. This report details the economic, commercial, and financial damage caused by the U.S. blockade over the past year—losses exceeding $8.083 billion—which effectively constitutes a collective punishment for the entire nation and severely impacts every aspect of daily life.
For her part, Ms. Jeneba J. Bangura, Chair of the Sierra Leone-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group, thanked the Cuban government for its solidarity during the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics, noting the deployment of Cuban doctors to save the lives of Sierra Leoneans. She also expressed gratitude to Cuba for training the Sierra Leonean doctors who are currently saving lives across the country.
Deputy Minister Bangura expressed appreciation for the explanation and lamented the difficult situation unjustly faced by the Cuban people, offering her best wishes for a peaceful resolution and the lifting of the blockade. During the cordial exchange, both parties agreed on the importance of continuing to strengthen bilateral ties between the foreign ministries of both nations.
The Cuban diplomat thanked Deputy Minister Jeneba J. Bangura for the warm welcome and reiterated her gratitude for the solidarity shown by the people of Sierra Leone toward the Cuban people in their struggle against the unjust and cruel economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for over 60 years.
Embassy of Cuba in Sierra Leone