Rodolfo Benítez Verson, Cuba’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, expressed on Monday at the organizational meeting of the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council the gratitude of the Cuban people and government for the expressions of solidarity received in the face of the threat of US military aggression.
According to a statement from the Cuban Mission in Geneva on its Facebook page, Benítez Verson warned that military action against the island would violate the UN Charter and international law, as well as constitute a flagrant violation of the human rights of the Cuban people, since it “would deny the right to life of thousands of Cubans who would die defending their homeland.”
The diplomat denounced the economic, commercial, and financial blockade, exacerbated by the energy embargo imposed by Washington five months ago, which he described as having the equivalent of a naval blockade, with devastating consequences for the population.
“Our people suffer daily from prolonged power outages, difficulties in water supply, transportation, community services, gas distribution, and food production and distribution,” he stated.
He recalled that mandate holders of the Human Rights Council have described the US measures as illegal and unjustified, and quoted High Commissioner Volker Türk, who emphasized that “nothing can justify the suffocation of an entire population.”
The ambassador called on the international community to prevent aggression against Cuba and to mobilize to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, whether through armed conflict or a fuel blockade. “We know that Cuba is not alone,” he stressed, expressing gratitude for the international solidarity with the island.
In his address, he announced that Cuba will present two draft resolutions: one on human rights and international solidarity, and another to convene the 2027 World Social Forum.
He also announced that on June 19, the island will host a side event on the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Peace, on the occasion of its tenth anniversary.
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
