During the debate on ending the United States’ economic, commercial, and financial embargo on Cuba in the United Nations General Assembly on July 7, Cuban foreign affairs minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, delivered this stinging rebuke to remarks made by US ambassador to the UN, Mike Walz:
“Truth be told this morning, the United States team deserved a red card.
“I would like to contribute to Permanent Representative Waltz’s photo slide show with this one showing a blackout in Havana due to the US’ energy blockade, or with this one of a Cuban family where the child has just arrived home from school, still in his uniform, but suffering from the darkness.
“This photo is dramatic, Mr President. It shows an operating room being illuminated by a cell phone flashlight. This is due to the US’ energy blockade.
“International humanitarian aid must be distributed by oxcart due to the US’ energy blockade.
“Mr Waltz has addressed the issue of arbitrary arrests, human rights, repression and other matters. I want to show this photo. It is not in Cuba, Mr President; it is in the United States of America during an ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] raid.
“You will not find a similar image of violent repression against protesters in Cuba. Here’s ICE detaining a five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo. Here he’s being held by an ICE henchman. This did not happen in Cuba.
“This woman cannot be imprisoned; a US citizen, a hard-working woman from an honest family, because she was murdered by ICE in a cruel and cold manner.
“The US representative referred to corruption. It is surprising that this would be done by a representative of the current government, which is known for being a true plutocracy, for institutional and legal corruption, the existence of so-called special interests and millionaire election campaigns.
“A country where money and corporations rule, where voters are manipulated, judicial persecution is used for political ends and where the justice system is corrupted and politicised…
“Mr Waltz’s slanderous allusions to Cuban international medical cooperation offend the tens of thousands of doctors and paramedics dedicated to serving populations in remote, low-income areas, and also offend the 50 recipient States, represented in 50 seats in this room today...
“The US has denied the existence of the blockade. I invite Mr. Waltz to read the statements made by the White House Press Secretary on March 30 or those by the president of the United States himself the day before. They confirm the existence of the blockade, particularly the total blockade on hydrocarbons.
“An inconsequential official of the US has invoked names of stature and universal legacy. Mr Waltz, no one will know who you are in short time. Che Guevara will continue to be reborn in every Cuban who fights against the imperialism you represent.
“You offend our people when you quote Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, whom successive US administrations were never able to defeat. In a few weeks, Cuba and the world will celebrate his centennial. You have implicitly referred to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and I reiterate on his behalf that he remains ready to ride in defense of our homeland.
“You have also referred to our president, a distinguished son of the Revolution, who, unlike you and the American politicians, will suffer the same fate as the rest of our people in the face of imperialist aggression.
“I reaffirm that Cuba will never surrender its sovereignty and independence, for which its finest sons have died.
“As Antonio Maceo pointed out, whoever attempts to seize Cuba will only gather the dust of its blood-soaked soil if they do not perish in the struggle…”
Following the vote, Rodriguez Parilla posted on social media: "Last Tuesday's session of the UN General Assembly to call for an end to the blockade on #Cuba, after a vote of 136 in favor and 9 against, demonstrated US isolation in its bid to suffocate the Cuban people."
The nine countries voting against were the United States, Israel, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Ukraine, Czech Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Thirty countries abstained, including: