While representing his nation at the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, Rodriguez made this remark.

The Cuban diplomat rejected the US attempts to restructure the international system based on pressures, threats, tariff imposition, and other punitive tools, which affect global political-commercial relations.

He underscored that the China-CELAC Forum, established after the 2nd CELAC Summit in Havana in 2014, has evolved as an effective space to coordinate and deepen relations between both parties.

The foreign minister noted that this mechanism demonstrated its strategic and practical value in advancing towards common development goals and reflects the benefits of building a community of shared future.

The head of Cuban diplomacy pointed out that most Latin American and Caribbean countries maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing based on mutual respect and collaborations with tangible benefits.

“In contrast, the US government promotes the trade and tariff war at a global level, especially against China, and threatens countries that legitimately have economic development projects with companies from that country,” he underscored.

He denounced the impact of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by Washington against the island, strengthened and escalated to unprecedented levels in recent years, “with Cuba’s arbitrary inclusion in Washington’s State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list.”

Rodriguez recalled that Cuba celebrates the 65th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with China this year, which “have historically been an example of South-South cooperation.”

The 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum gathered in Beijing foreign ministers, other high-level representatives of the region, and the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; and Chile, Gabriel Boric.

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