The Assembly of the Republic cannot remain indifferent to the escalation of the blockade and the threats of military aggression made by the US President against Cuba, a sovereign nation with which Portugal has long-standing diplomatic and friendly relations.
An inhumane and criminal blockade and unacceptable threats which, in flagrant violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law, undermine the sovereignty and rights of the Cuban people.
A crime repeatedly denounced at the United Nations General Assembly by the overwhelming majority of countries, including, quite rightly, by Portugal.
When the indescribable Trump administration decides to raise tariffs on the European Union, everyone is on the verge of a nervous breakdown; now let everyone consider what it means to face a criminal blockade, which prevents a people from acquiring food, medicines, fuel or from carrying out economic and commercial transactions with other countries, and this has been the case not for a day, not for a week or a month, but for over 60 years.
We will not be deceived, nor will we feed the deception.
The US’s criminal blockade against Cuba is the primary cause of the difficulties facing the Cuban economy.
And for those who cynically conceal this reality and what it means for the lives of Cubans, we recall here the words and their meaning, as stated by the US Under-Secretary of State in 1960:
“(...) all possible means must be swiftly employed to weaken Cuba’s economic life (...) a course of action that (...) achieves the greatest progress in depriving Cuba of money and supplies, in order to reduce its financial resources and real wages, and to provoke hunger, despair and the overthrow of the Government.”
And so it has been ever since, with a cruel blockade designed to target, precisely, the living conditions of a people who refuse to relinquish their sovereignty and rights.
Cuba is not, nor has it ever been, a threat to other peoples; on the contrary,
Cuba and its people have always been examples of dignity, determination and solidarity.
Whilst some impose blockades, sanctions, war and exploitation,
Cuba gives everything it can in solidarity and cooperation with the peoples.
Solidarity with the Cuban people is a duty for all those who embrace the values of truth, freedom, justice, sovereignty, democracy, peace and international law.
From here, we salute this example of dignity, determination and unity shown by the Cuban people in defence of their homeland and their Revolution.
From here, we express our solidarity with Cuba, its people and their legitimate right to decide their own path sovereignly, free from external interference.
Solidarity with the Cuban people and the unequivocal condemnation of the US blockade and aggression against Cuba, this is the only acceptable position for this Parliament, but also for the government of a Country that aspires to a seat on the UN Security Council.
