Salvador Valdés Mesa, member of the Political Bureau and Vice President of the Republic, stated on Thursday that on October 28th, Cuba will bring its condemnation of the unjust U.S. blockade — along with a demand for its termination –before the United Nations General Assembly.
Valdés Mesa spoke at the opening of the 50th Ordinary General Assembly of the Central American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OCCEFS), which is being held through Friday at the Convention Center of the Hotel Internacional Varadero, in this resort town in Matanzas province.
Addressing representatives from member states — who are participating in the meeting both in person and virtually — he highlighted that the event is taking place at a highly complex time, marked by the intensification of the U.S. economic siege against Cuba.
He noted that recent executive orders from the U.S. president seek to impose maximum collective punishment on the Cuban people. As part of this act of genocide, an “energy blockade” has allowed only one oil tanker to reach the island this year.
The Vice President of the Republic denounced the extraterritorial nature of these sanctions, which affect foreign entities operating within Cuba’s economic sectors, as well as foreign investment.
He emphasized that this criminal intent to economically suffocate the country is accompanied by a fierce campaign aimed at isolating the largest island of the Antilles internationally — most notably from its Latin American neighbors. Valdés Mesa asserted that the blockade severely affects the daily lives of the people and achievements in sectors such as healthcare and education. It limits the importation of raw materials and essential inputs required for the production of medicines and other goods; furthermore, the energy-related restrictions, in particular, cause prolonged blackouts, intended to incite social unrest.
He stated that these policies — consisting of ongoing sanctions by the United States — have been, and will continue to be, denounced by the Cuban government. He described them as a grave violation of the principles of sovereignty and independence—not only for Cuba, but also for other nations affected by the extraterritorial nature of these measures.
Finally, he reaffirmed the commitment of the island’s State and government to becoming more efficient and effective in the use of public resources, as well as to preventing and combating corruption.
At the opening, Mirian Marbán González, Comptroller General of the Republic, addressed the impact of this criminal U.S. policy. She noted that the organization of this regional meeting was focused on ensuring it fulfills its objectives: fostering greater integration and cooperation among member states.
Additionally, Omar Castillo—Panama’s Deputy Comptroller and President of the Central American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OCCEFS)—along with Minister Jorge Antonio de Oliveira, Vice President of the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil, expressed their appreciation for the hospitality and attentiveness shown by the host nation.
A poignant moment occurred when a Special Recognition from OCCEFS was presented to Gladys Bejerano, the former Comptroller General of the Republic of Cuba. She remarked that this honor is the result of the hard work and dedication of the institution’s leadership and staff.
She also highlighted that she had consistently felt the affection and support of the heads of the region’s Supreme Audit Institutions in the ongoing effort to promote good governance and transparency.
IMAGE CREDIT: Fidel Rendón Matienzo | Photos: Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
