Speech by Ms. Pilar Varona Estrada, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba, at the High-Level Segment of the 67th United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Vienna, March 14, 2024
Excellencies, distinguished delegates:
Mr. Chairman:
Allow me to congratulate you on your work and wish you success in your work guiding the work of the Commission. I reiterate to you and the other members of the Bureau that you can count on the support of our delegation.
It is vital that we become aware that the world drug problem cannot be addressed by domestic policies alone, because it is a global problem and must be confronted as such.
That is why we reaffirm Cuba's political will to cooperate with the entire international community in the serious and real efforts made in the battle against this problem.
Today it is more important than ever to recognize and apply the principle of common and shared responsibility to confront this problem, in strict adherence to international law and the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations.
Our common objective must be to move forward in strengthening international cooperation to effectively address and confront the global drug problem, which, far from diminishing, is deepening and worsening.
It is important to understand that the effects and serious consequences of this scourge cannot be solved by continuing to politicize, legalize or assume drugs as harmless substances, or by ignoring the particularities of each region or country.
Multilateral cooperation, the work of international organizations and United Nations programs, in accordance with their respective mandates, and the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, are of vital importance to the achievement of our objectives.
Mr. President:
We ratify that Cuba is not a transit country, it is not a producer country, it is not a free zone for money laundering, it is not a tax haven, nor is it a refuge for international criminals. The incidence of this phenomenon in the country is of an external nature due to the drugs that land on our shores and the various forms used by organizations based abroad to try to introduce them.
Cuba maintains a policy of "zero tolerance" to illicit drug trafficking and provides a differentiated treatment to its consumption from the public health perspective, achieving a harmonious balance between prevention and confrontation.
The Cuban strategy of confrontation and prevention against drugs is characterized by its multifactorial nature. It has a comprehensive expression and is a preventive battle, in which education, culture, health and the family play a major role, but with an integrative and popular system of confrontation.
Prevention is an essential pillar, which is why community work has continued to be improved and greater participation of mass, youth, student and other organizations representing Cuban civil society has been encouraged.
Under these precepts and with great effort, Cuba has achieved that the elaboration, production, trafficking or consumption of illicit substances are not a significant social problem, and has prevented its territory from becoming a platform for criminals for drug trafficking and the commission of related crimes.
This has been achieved despite the lack of abundant resources and the limitations imposed by the iron economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba and the inclusion of the country in unilateral and arbitrary lists such as the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Mr. President:
We are convinced that this High Level Segment will reaffirm the political commitment of States and other actors to the three United Nations Drug Conventions and their current international control system.
I reiterate Cuba's commitment and its legitimate aspiration to achieve societies free of illicit drugs, a vital element for achieving sustainable development and the well-being of our peoples.
Thank you very much.