Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez warned the UN Security Council that US sanctions were pushing the island toward a "humanitarian catastrophe" as tensions with Washington escalate.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the UN Security Council that "now should be the time for solidarity" as the Caribbean nation faces a "humanitarian catastrophe."
"I call on the international community to mobilize to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe that could be imposed through arms or the fuel blockade," Rodriguez told the Security Council late on Tuesday.
Ahead of the Security Council session in New York, Rodriguez also posted on X saying, "I requested the UN's contribution to halt a US military aggression against Cuba, which would provoke a bloodbath, and to put an end to the threats of using force."
He reiterated Havana's "willingness to continue bilateral talks with the US," provided there is no interference in Cuban affairs.
US increases pressure on Havana
Rodriguez also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in an attempt to shore up UN support to prevent possible US military action against Cuba.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Rodriguez said worsening fuel shortages and sanctions were deepening Cuba's economic crisis and causing widespread blackouts and shortages of food and medicine.
The appeal comes amid heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Havana, including tighter sanctions and the indictment of 94-year-old former Cuban leader Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two US-based planes.
The Trump administration continues to step up political pressure on Cuba in an attempt to bring about regime change.
Last week, Trump told reporters that past US presidents had considered intervening in Cuba but "it looks like I'll be the one that does it."
'Let Cuba live in peace'
The US has maintained a decadeslong trade embargo on Cuba. However, the Washington's recent US energy blockade has driven the country to the brink as it grapples with blackouts in the capital Havana lasting 22 hours or more.
Rodriguez refuted that Cuba poses a national security threat to the US.
"It is an idea that goes against logic and common sense," he said. "Let Cuba live in peace."
Edited by: Zac Crellin
Bulk Cargo Ship Arrives in Cuba Carrying Aid from China
Aid shipments are continuing to arrive in Cuba despite the U.S. efforts to apply pressure on the Communist government of the Caribbean island. In the latest development, a Chinese-owned cargo ship arrived in Havana carrying what is reported to be the first of several major aid shipments coming from China.
The bulk cargo ship Sunny Hong (33,847 dwt) was received in Havana by a government delegation on Saturday, May 23, thanking the Chinese for their support. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the shipment in a social media posting a “noble gesture of solidarity.”
The vessel arrived carrying 15,000 tons of rice from China. The ship had left Qingdao on April 1 and transited the Panama Canal on May 8, but has largely been dark since then despite declaring it was bound for Cuba.
Cuba’s Minister of Interior Trade, Betsy Diaz Velazquez, said it was greatly needed, and it would be immediately distributed to all the provinces. Media reports have indicated that Cubans are experiencing food shortages as the U.S. blockade and pressure campaign continue. According to Cuban officials, China has committed to sending a total of 60,000 tons of grain to Cuba.
Chinese rice shipment being offloaded in Havana (Ministerio del Comercio Interior de Cuba)
The shipment follows the arrival a week earlier of another aid ship coming from Mexico. Cuban officials said they have received over 3,125 tons of aid from Mexico, including food, medicine, hygiene products, and solar panels, although critics claim little of it is reaching the average Cuban.
At the same time, the Christian charity Saint’Egidio International reported that it had dispatched another container on May 15 from Genoa bound for Cuba. They said it is loaded with medicine, medical supplies, and wheelchairs, valued in total at approximately €700,000 (US$815,000). On May 9, another container from the charity reached Havana carrying 22,000 kg of rice and flour, and the charity said another container with 24,000 kg of food aid is also on its way to Santiago de Cuba. Continuing into June, the charity plans to ship additional containers with oil, flour, vegetables, and sugar. It said it expects to send one container to Havana and a second one to Santiago.
However, there is no additional word on a second Russian oil shipment that was believed to have left Europe in April. The product tanker Universal’s last reported position was in the middle of the Atlantic, displaying “waiting for orders.” After making its first oil delivery earlier in the month, Russia had said it was preparing a second delivery.
Despite these efforts, there continue to be reports of widespread outages on the island. The country has used the first Russian oil shipment and can only produce about 40 percent of its oil needs. Blackouts have become common across the island.
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