Bruno Rodríguez: "The Blockade Is Indeed a Threat to the Life and Well-Being of Every Cuban"

Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, denounced once again this Tuesday the consequences that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the island for over six decades has had on the Cuban people.

"The blockade is indeed a threat to the life and well-being of every Cuban, and to the development and future of the country," the foreign minister said at a press conference.

He added that "for Cuban women and men, a free, sovereign, dignified, and independent homeland is sacred," and that for this ideal, several generations have paid the highest price and endured all sacrifices.

During the press meeting, Rodríguez announced that the United Nations General Assembly will debate, under agenda item 38, the "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba." The discussion will take place on July 7.

This is the resolution Cuba presents annually to the international body demanding an end to the U.S. blockade — an initiative that for over three decades has garnered an overwhelming — nearly unanimous — majority of member states in favor of the island, with the U.S. and Israel as the recurring opposing votes. In the press conference, Rodríguez emphasized that Cuba believes "firmly in multilateralism and in the UN's central role."

Current Context

The 2026 context is the most tense in a long time regarding U.S. pressure on the island. On January 29, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a "national emergency" over the alleged "unusual and extraordinary threat" Cuba supposedly poses to U.S. national security and the region. He also announced the imposition of tariffs on countries that sell oil to the Caribbean nation, along with threats of reprisals against those acting against the White House executive order.

In response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that "this new measure evidences the fascist, criminal, and genocidal nature of a clique that has hijacked the interests of the American people for purely personal purposes."

More recently, the president sent a message to the U.S. government: "If you truly want to help the Cuban people, let us live! Let Cuba trade; let Cuba buy its medicines; let Cuba import its fuel; let Cuba receive investments, credits, financing, and relate normally with its emigrants and the world. Let Cuba show the planet what this people is capable of when there are no obstacles to their efforts to rise!"