Global South Stands with Cuba at United Nations

"In Cuba, the world watches in horror as collective punishment is imposed on 10 million people by an illegal economic and energy embargo," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil.

"We are deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian pressures facing the people of Cuba. Too many people are suffering. Too many people. Restrictions on trade, finance and access to fuel are intensifying hardship, not only for Cuban citizens, but for all others who study and live there," said Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

"Cuba is not a terrorist state. It neither produces nor possesses nuclear weapons, chemical or biological weapons that could constitute an imminent or real threat to the national security of other countries, including neighboring countries," said João Lourenço, President of Angola.

"As the embargo is the main cause of the calamitous situation in which Cuba and the Cuban people find themselves, and since it's inhumane, unfair and violates all the principles and norms of international law, we once again call for the end of the embargo against Cuba," Lourenço said.

"We call upon the U.S. to end the unilateral embargo and the sanctions and the energy blockade against Cuba, and to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism," said Tô Lâm, President of Vietnam.

"We also call upon the international community to support Cuba in overcoming the sanction-induced crisis," Tô Lâm said.

"Nor can we be indifferent to the pain caused by a state of endless war. The fear and pain generated by organized crime, the constant threat of terrorism, the repression born out of tyranny, or the suffering caused by a harsh economic blockade like the one under which the Cuban people suffer," said Yamandú Orsi, President of Uruguay.

"We call for the lifting of the unjustified economic embargo against Cuba, which had far-reaching consequences for the Cuban economy and the well-being of people, including access to essential goods and services," said Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia.

"The suffering of the Cuban people should command our deepest solidarity. We reiterate our call for an end to the blockade on the Cuban people," said Ronald Lamola, Foreign Minister of South Africa.

"The designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism is similarly unfounded and [Cuba] should be removed from that list. Unilateral coercive measures have negative spillover effects that seriously undermine third countries," Lamola said.

"For 33 consecutive years, this assembly has called for an end to the embargo against Cuba. Naoero reiterates that call and we encourage dialogue grounded in full respect for sovereignty," said David Adeang, President of Naoero.

"Because sovereign equality must be more than a principle written in the charter," Adeang concluded.