U.S. actions against Cuba constitute an act of genocide, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said today at the CELAC Ministerial Meeting held within the framework of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Due to its importance, ACN is transmitting the full text of his remarks.

H.E. Mr. Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay and Pro Tempore President of CELAC:

Distinguished ministers and heads of delegations:

Excellencies:

I thank the Pro Tempore Presidency of Uruguay for convening and organizing this Meeting.

The Latin American and Caribbean region is being subjected to an offensive by the government of the United States, in an attempt to update the archaic Monroe Doctrine under a new and dubious "Corollary."

Militarization is being used as an instrument of domination, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking or the nonexistent narcoterrorism. Punitive tariffs have been imposed on the economies of several countries in our region. Initiatives are being promoted that seek to divide us between "allies and adversaries," and attempts are being made to weaken the mechanisms of consultation and integration that it has cost us so much to build.

In this scenario, the unprecedented strengthening of the United States' economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba is inscribed, including an energy siege equivalent in its effects to a naval blockade, which is an act of war under international law. To this have been added so-called secondary sanctions, a violent communications offensive and the systematic threat of military aggression.

Cuba is being denied access to fuel. The arrival of shipping companies and containers is being obstructed, which hinders the arrival of food, medicines and medical devices, including those contracted by the private sector.

The actions of the United States constitute an act of genocide, also classified as collective punishment and a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of Cuban women and men, of International Law and of the Charter of the United Nations. CELAC must preserve the place it has earned as the representative voice of the region. We must ask ourselves whether we are willing to accept as inevitable and to coexist with the violations of International Law committed by the government of the United States that undermine the sovereign prerogatives of our peoples and governments.

Today more than ever we must defend the heritage we have built collectively and work to make the dream of independence of our founding fathers a reality. On that path, defending the resolute application of the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace is a priority.

I take this opportunity to thank, in the name of the Cuban people, the governments and peoples who have extended their friendly hand to us in these difficult times.

CELAC has always had in Cuba an active member committed to the principles of our Community. We have contributed, in a constructive manner, to the achievement of its purposes and we have been consistent and supportive in defending the principle of unity within diversity.

We are part of the regional position of aspiring for the general secretariat of the United Nations Organization to pass into the hands of a Latin American and Caribbean person.

We will direct our efforts toward preserving solidarity among the members of CELAC, consolidating this Community and strengthening its international projection.

Thank you very much.