00:01We are often asked, well, what is the U.S. pursuing with such aggressive behavior?
00:08And the question usually surprises us, because the representatives of this government have outrightly declared their purpose to take Cuba
00:19to control the country and to dominate its economy.
00:23In other words, to nullify through aggression or economic suffocation the national sovereignty, which several generations of Cubans have struggled
00:34for since the 19th century, first to achieve it, and later on, after conquering full freedom in 1959, to tenaciously
00:46defend it against the biggest risks, including that of a Holocaust.
00:51The U.S. behavior relies on the fallacy proclaimed early on this year that Cuba is an unusual and extraordinary
01:03threat to the national security and the foreign policy of the United States.
01:10A nonsense shamelessly repeated by that government in a futile attempt to substantiate such an assertion, the U.S. government
01:22then inundates its huge communication platforms with false claims using the spokespersons and publications it hires, taking advantage of the
01:32increasing control exercised by its governments over them.
01:37The U.S. president himself repeated it a few, this lie a few days ago in this chamber.
01:45Any minimally informed observer would understand the unrealistic and barbarous intention to portray a relatively small and developing nation such
02:00as Cuba with a modest economic performance as a threat to the biggest nuclear, military, technological and economic power on
02:10the planet.
02:13This organization and its member states have abundant evidence of the fact that we are a peace loving country, of
02:22the efforts of Cuba in favor of international cooperation, understanding and the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as the
02:30active role that we have played, always played in support of the United Nations.
02:37Cuba is not a threat.
02:40Cuba is not a threat.
02:41What is, is the blockade.
02:43Cuba is not a threat.
02:46The blockade, yes, is a threat.
02:52We have always been and will always be prepared for dialogue with the government of the United States in order
02:59to try to find solutions to the various bilateral differences that we have on the basis of seriousness, respect, sovereign
03:10equality and respect for international law without any interference in domestic affairs and without preconditions.
03:18We are prepared for trade, commercial relations with US corporations as we would be with any other country.
03:31We are aware of the immense challenge that our country faces in terms of its security, survival, the well-being
03:41of its people and the destiny of the nation.
03:45We are not facing this challenge passively.
03:48We are doing it firmly and with dignity.
03:53And on this basis, we are moving forward on a process of changes that would lead to profound transformations of
04:00the economic and social model of the country based on our historical experience.
04:07Last 30th of July, during the closing ceremony of the 7th session of the National People's Power Assembly, President Miguel
04:15Diaz-Canel, given the complex situation I've described, referred to how we can continue to grow socialism.
04:25How can we find the financial and material resources needed to preserve the social achievements attained by the revolution?
04:33And as on former occasions, when we were faced with particularly complex situations, such as under the guidance of the
04:44first commander in chief and later of the army, General Raul Castro, the economic model was transformed to adapt it
04:51to the challenging foreign circumstances demanded by the times.
04:55And in the current situation, we promised to take the changes that are needed for the moment under the leadership
05:03of the party in a collective and democratic way in consultation with the people without compromising the independence, national sovereignty
05:12or the social achievements of the revolution.
05:19The National People's Power Assembly at that meeting adopted a new programme with new practices, actors and economic concepts.
05:29All of that is being done in accordance with the constitution in force, which was adopted through a free and
05:36universal referendum and the conception of our socialist state of law and social justice.
05:46As was pointed out by the leader of the Cuban revolution, General Raul Castro Ruz, the most important thing will
05:53be in, I quote, the appropriate and timely implementation process with well-defined priorities and the conscious participation of the
06:03people, end of quotation.
06:06This process relies on the strength that we have been able to build, the potential of our human resources and
06:13the determination to respond to the needs of the people with the greatest possible social justice without ceasing in our
06:22efforts to defend with the utmost rigour and resolve the sovereignty and the right to self-determination.
06:32We know that we can count on the support of the international community and the solidarity of millions of people,
06:41amongst them increasingly United States citizens.
06:47They have repeatedly shown in various demonstrations their support for Cuba and their rejection of this aggression and have provided
06:56solidarity and aid to our peoples to try to mitigate the enormous damage that is being made to Cuban society
07:05and its economy.
07:06This spirit of empathy and solidarity is also expressed particularly strongly amongst the Cubans who live permanently or temporarily outside
07:17of Cuba's borders and their descendants, particularly those living here in the United States.
07:24Mr. President, we reject the Monroe Doctrine as we repudiate any attempt for military intervention or domination in Latin America
07:40and the Caribbean, proclaimed as a zone of peace in 2014.
07:45We are in Havana.
07:47As a small island developing state, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who share similar circumstances and
07:58we warn against the worrying and inexorable advance of climate change.
08:02What we need to do is to promote governance that is more inclusive in the use of the new ICTs
08:12and telecommunications, particularly the disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.
08:20We reject the implementation of unilateral coercive measures.
08:25We express our support to and solidarity with each and every nation that is a victim of them.
08:34We once again state our solidarity with the government of national reconciliation and unity of Nicaragua.
08:42We reiterate our support for the inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence.
08:51The sister nations of Africa and the Caribbean deserve a fair and differentiated treatment as well as reparations for the
09:00horrors of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.
09:07We reaffirm our solidarity with the Saharan people and their right to self-determination.
09:14We once again state our support of the one China principle.
09:20We strongly believe that the current trend of international relations of disrespect for international law of the United Nations and
09:33the imposition of the unilateral will of the mightiest over other countries by means of intimidation and coercion.
09:41We believe that this is dangerous and it is unsustainable.
09:45The law of the jungle cannot be the future of humanity.
09:50To prevent these practices, in addition to promoting peace and justice, the preceding generations founded the United Nations and for
10:02decades they developed and enriched its activity.
10:06Let us recover its role today when we are perhaps still in time to do so before the organization goes
10:15down in history as an unrealized dream of great promises.
10:22In the year of his centennial, we believe as Fidel Castro Ruiz, the historic leader of the Cuban revolution said
10:32that let us be confident that if we struggle with resolve, a better world is possible, homeland or death, we
10:39shall overcome.
10:40This is surprisingly of the currently forever and lands on.
10:40Now I hope let's try one of four more years woo-kampan and komound.
10:40This concludes the initial meeting I will be at the fingertips when Iinkum.
