The United States and Cuba clashed at the United Nations General Assembly, with both sides presenting differing views on the island's economic crisis.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused the Trump administration of waging a "multidimensional, non-conventional war" against Cuba, describing U.S. efforts to restrict fuel deliveries as equivalent to a naval blockade, an act of war.
A U.S. diplomat rejected the claim, stating that there is no ring of U.S. Navy warships surrounding the island, blocking trade or humanitarian aid. Instead, the diplomat argued that the real embargo is the one Cuba's government imposes on its own citizens, restricting their freedom and access to basic necessities.
The debate came days before the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021, demonstrations, when thousands of Cubans took to the streets to demand greater freedom and an end to the government's restrictive policies.
The U.S. delegate displayed photographs and read the names of several jailed Cuban artists, musicians, and activists, highlighting the regime's brutal suppression of dissent and free expression.
The Cuban delegation responded by pounding on the table, prompting the U.S. delegate to retort that this is not Havana, but the United States of America, where freedom of speech and assembly are protected.
Despite Cuba's claims of a U.S. blockade, humanitarian assistance has recently arrived from countries including China, Russia, Mexico, Canada, and Spain, as well as from the European Union and the United Nations.
The United States has also provided significant aid to Cuba, with over $100 million in assistance this year and approximately $500 million annually in commodities, contradicting Cuba's claims of economic isolation.
A U.S. representative objected to reopening the agenda item, arguing that the three-hour meeting would cost approximately $84,000, which could instead be used to provide essential goods to Cuban families.
The Cuban regime has been accused of holding more than 800 political prisoners, with independent organizations estimating varying numbers. Cuba denies holding anyone for political reasons, instead blaming the U.S. for its economic crisis.
The debate highlights the deep-seated divisions between the United States and Cuba, with both sides presenting competing narratives on the island's economic crisis and the role of the U.S. in exacerbating the situation.
