Africa-Press – Angola. Angola’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Francisco José da Cruz, stated on Tuesday (28) that maintaining the economic, financial and commercial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba, as well as the unjustified inclusion of this country on the list of States that sponsor terrorism, are incompatible with an international system based on the rule of law.
The Angolan diplomat expressed this position during the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly dedicated to the theme “Need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.
According to the ambassador, the embargo constitutes one of the most urgent diplomatic issues of the present day, which must be resolved in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
Francisco José da Cruz emphasized that Angola has consistently supported the international appeal for the unconditional removal of the embargo, reaffirming its solidarity with the Cuban people and their right to full development.
The diplomat recalled that, at the Summit of the Future 2024, the international community united around common goals, such as combating climate change, reducing inequalities, and promoting lasting peace, having adopted the Pact for the Future, an instrument aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“As we celebrate 8 decades since the creation of the United Nations, our credibility as an international community is challenged by the maintenance of an embargo whose cessation has been demanded, year after year, by the overwhelming majority of member states since 1992, without practical results,” the ambassador stressed.
The Angolan official warned that the embargo has caused profound social and economic damage to the Cuban people, hindering the achievement of SDGs One (No Poverty), Three (Good Health and Well-being), Four (Quality Education), Eight (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Nine (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), in addition to exacerbating inequalities (SDG 10) and limiting access to international partnerships and transactions (SDG 17).
During his intervention, Ambassador Francisco José da Cruz argued that international disputes should be resolved through negotiations based on justice and equity, calling on the United States and Cuba to renew diplomatic efforts towards a constructive dialogue that allows for a lasting and mutually beneficial political solution.
The diplomat also expressed appreciation for Cuba’s historic contribution to international cooperation, highlighting the role of Cuban health professionals who, over the past decades, have helped save lives and strengthen health systems in Africa and the developing world.
“This spirit of solidarity from Cuba is an example of the importance of South-South cooperation and international solidarity,” he noted.
The ambassador reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to supporting all UN initiatives and resolutions aimed at ending the embargo, stressing that this position is in line with the principles of the UN Charter and the international obligations of States.
Finally, he urged all delegations to support the draft resolution presented by Cuba, under item 38 of the agenda, entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba” (A/80/L.6), the vote on which is scheduled for Wednesday (Oct 29), at the United Nations General Assembly.
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