The highest representative of Cuban diplomacy stressed that this reality is characterized by the philosophy of despoilment and the systematic use of force by the United States, to the detriment of the international order that emerged after World War II.
Rodriguez warned that, regardless of ideological, cultural, or political model differences, all nation-states are now at risk from aggressive policies, interventionism, and disputes over strategic resources such as hydrocarbons, critical minerals, rare earths, water, biodiversity and trade routes.
The Cuban official questioned the use of tariffs as an instrument of aggression, the extraterritorial application of US laws and the claim to submit the world to the jurisdiction of US courts, in open violation of the sovereign equality of states and international law.
He also referred to the executive order issued on 29 January by the US president, which imposes collective punishment on the Cuban people and deliberately seeks to provoke a humanitarian catastrophe by means of an energy fence against the island.
“Can a great power afford to try to destroy a small nation of peace, to subject its people to genocide under the crude pretext of national security?” , Rodríguez questioned, calling this policy illegal, immoral and ruthless.
In the face of these threats, he reaffirmed the firm determination of the Cuban people to defend with the utmost vigor its right to self-determination, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, in close unity and broad consensus.
He assured that Cuba will prevent a humanitarian crisis on its territory, even if this entails privations and sacrifices, relying on a conscious, educated and courageous people, in their highly qualified human resources and in their strong education, health and science systems.
He also highlighted that the country has arable land, water and mineral reserves, basic infrastructure, its own refining capacity and production of almost half of the crude it consumes, as well as an expanding program of investments in solar energy.
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