Cuba today denounced the intensification of the genocidal U.S. economic blockade against the country during the 181st session of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

On the second day of the event, taking place from June 8 to 12 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Cuban ambassador Jorge Luis Cepero, the island's permanent representative to that global body, pointed out that the blockade affects the nation's sustainable development and the right to food of its people.

The diplomat asserted that these measures imposed by the U.S. government against the island are illegal and violate international law, specifying that in the last year alone they caused losses exceeding seven billion dollars—resources that could have expanded the delivery of subsidized food to the Cuban population.

He referred to the new actions by the U.S. administration aimed at trying to prevent Cuba's access to fuel, as well as affecting financing and supply chains essential for national food security, which also hinders the work of United Nations agencies in the country.

Cepero reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to multilateralism and the right to food, and lamented that despite the international community's efforts, hunger and extreme poverty continue to affect millions of people on the planet as an expression of the current unjust and exclusionary world economic order.

The permanent representative acknowledged the importance of historical cooperation between the FAO and his country, while reaffirming his government's willingness to continue strengthening these ties.

Finally, the ambassador called on the international community to implement concrete and immediate actions that promote social justice, sovereignty, and more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.