On Saturday, Cuba's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, addressed the United Nations General Assembly to criticize what he described as an "unjustified military escalation" by the United States in the Caribbean Sea. He claimed this presence poses a "threat of war" in the region, all while speaking to a nearly vacant auditorium.
Rodríguez highlighted that the U.S. naval and aerial deployments, which include test ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines, are allegedly being justified under the guise of combating drug trafficking. The Cuban foreign minister dismissed this rationale, calling it a "myth that no one in this room believes," as reported by the state-run portal Cubadebate.
"Today, the threat of war looms over the Caribbean Sea due to an offensively unjustified deployment. The U.S. uses the pretext of combating crime and drug trafficking," Rodríguez declared, emphasizing the aggressive nature of the U.S. actions.
The foreign minister's remarks came amid limited diplomatic attention, with the main hall of the United Nations sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the packed audiences that often greet speeches by leaders with more geopolitical influence.
Support for Venezuela Amidst U.S. Sanctions
Rodríguez used the platform to express unwavering support for Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela and criticized the sanctions imposed by Washington on Caracas. "We reaffirm our total support for the Bolivarian and Chavista government of that sister Latin American and Caribbean nation," he proclaimed.
He also accused the United States of creating a dangerous situation by intercepting vessels and allegedly violating international law. "We denounce the Monroe Doctrine and any attempt at imperialist militarization, intervention, or domination in Latin America and the Caribbean," he added.
A Call for a New International Framework
In conclusion, Rodríguez Parrilla urged the establishment of a "new international order" based on respect for sovereignty and equality among states. However, his plea garnered little international attention.
Key Questions About U.S.-Cuba Relations
What did the Cuban Foreign Minister criticize in his UN speech?
The Cuban Foreign Minister criticized an "unjustified military escalation" by the United States in the Caribbean, describing it as a "threat of war" in the region.
How did Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla view the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean?
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla viewed the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean as offensively unjustified and a threat to regional peace, dismissing the U.S.'s drug trafficking justification as a myth.
What was the response to Rodríguez's call for a new international order?
Rodríguez's call for a new international order based on sovereignty and equality among states received little international attention.