The Federation of Associations of Cubans Residing in Spain (FACRE) “José Martí” issued a statement on Tuesday, ahead of the 30th Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, in which it highlighted the United States blockade and demanded respect for the island’s sovereignty.
In the context of the summit — taking place on November 4 and 5, alongside parallel events beginning this Tuesday — FACRE took the opportunity to reaffirm its defense of Cuba’s sovereignty, the right of its people to determine their own destiny and the right of all states to participate in multilateral forums, free from interference or exclusion.
In the statement, the association reiterated its condemnation of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, demanding its immediate lifting. It denounced the policy for hindering the country’s development and restricting access to essential resources, technology, financing, medicines and supplies.
It added that the effects of the blockade extend to critical sectors, including food, healthcare, transportation, energy, production and services.
The association noted that on October 28, the United Nations General Assembly once again approved a resolution calling for an end to the blockade. The initiative received 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions — marking the thirty-fourth time such a resolution has passed since 1992.
Furthermore, FACRE expressed its strong opposition to the so-called “Liberation Agreement” and any “roadmap” that seeks to orchestrate, from abroad, the replacement of Cuba’s constitutional order. It was argued that this is neither a neutral proposal nor a simple call for dialogue, but rather a project for political and institutional transformation that seeks to end the current system, dismantle the constitutional role of the Communist Party of Cuba, and establish a transitional government, followed by a roadmap for political and electoral reorganization.
“Political disagreement does not grant anyone the right to make decisions for Cuba,” it asserted.
In this regard, the FACRE (Federation of Cuban Associations and Residents in Spain) clarified that those promoting this project do not represent the federation nor the Cuban community residing in Spain as a whole, and that they have no mandate to speak on its behalf.
It addressed the presentation of such an initiative in Madrid — which coincided with the Ibero-American Summit and the presence of the Cuban delegation — describing it as “an act of political counter-programming aimed at questioning and delegitimizing that participation.”
Furthermore, it highlighted the role of Cubans living abroad, noting that the diaspora from the largest of the Antilles is diverse and pluralistic; therefore, no single organization, platform, or group can claim to represent the entire community.
Finally, it called for the XXX Ibero-American Summit to serve as a space for dialogue between sovereign states — free from exclusions, threats, or attempts to boycott any delegation.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
