Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), joined virtually on Sunday to thank participants at an international solidarity conference in New York focused on normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States. He called on attendees to intensify their denunciation of the U.S. blockade, the energy embargo, and what he described as Washington's sustained hostility toward the island.

González Llort stated that the gathering was taking place at a moment of heightened danger, warning that "an attempt is being made to impose a new form of domination inspired by the Monroe Doctrine, ignoring the will of the peoples and the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace."

He denounced what he characterized as an unprecedented intensification of economic warfare against Cuba, attributing the country's resource shortages, financial constraints, and energy deficits to the policies of the United States government.

González Llort argued that under current circumstances, international solidarity serves as a shield, and that support arising from within the United States itself carries incalculable value. He urged conference participants to develop a concrete plan of action capable of mobilizing greater pressure than ever before and coordinating existing initiatives into a unified effort.

He closed his remarks affirming: "With the backing of the international solidarity movement and the infinite resilience of the Cuban people, we will move forward, because we have reason, history, and dignity on our side."

The forum's second and final day concluded Sunday with virtual and in-person contributions from activists, members of social and political organizations, Cuba solidarity networks from the United States, Canada, and Quebec, as well as individual advocates of Cuban self-determination. Representatives from Cuban diplomatic missions, ICAP, the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), the Union of Jurists, and Cubapetróleo also participated.

The conference was convened by the Coalition of the International Conference for the Normalization of U.S.-Cuba Relations, an initiative that has been held since 2017 with broad participation, in opposition to the U.S. blockade and Cuba's designation on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.