The diplomat noted that last year alone, Washington’s punitive measures resulted in losses exceeding eight billion dollars.

He also denounced the “energy strangulation” strategy pursued by the Donald Trump administration.

He stated that for the past 10 months, Cuba has not received oil supplies, leading to widespread blackouts, drastic cuts to public transportation, and significant strain on the healthcare sector—one of the areas hardest hit by this harsh policy.

The diplomat discussed the ties between Cuba and Colombia, particularly in commerce; a country that currently Cuba ranks as fifth-largest regional trading partner and the eighth-largest global source of imports for Cuba’s private sector.

He also highlighted cooperation in education and research, including the provision of 1,000 scholarships for underprivileged youth to study medicine in Cuba—an initiative established as part of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement.

“Cuba asks only for absolute respect for its sovereignty, and it does not rule out respectful dialogue with any foreign government, including the United States,” he emphasized.

Lawmakers attending the meeting—including Senators Walter Rodriguez (“Wally”) and Camilo Torres, as well as Representatives Laura Beltran (“Lalis”) and Gabriel Becerra— expressed their solidarity with the Cuban people.

Representative Becerra, particularly, emphatically voiced his opposition to “the genocidal blockade by the United States, led by Donald Trump.”

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