For more than 60 years, the Cuban people have been the victims of an unjust and malicious economic blockade by the United States, which intends to punish Cuba for not bowing down to the US Government. This blockade has been thoroughly condemned by the UN General Assembly, which essentially votes every year to mandate the United States to end its blockade. It is just another example of the dismantling of international law and institutions.

More than three decades after the first resolution of the United Nations General Assembly against the embargo, the United States Government persists in ignoring the virtually unanimous demand of the international community to end, without conditions, its unilateral and criminal policy again Cuba. This blockade constitutes a huge obstacle to the country's economic and social development, and the constant threats against Cuba are a clear violation of its sovereignty. This past year, the United States Government continued to strengthen its extremely aggressive policy towards Cuba. The Trump Administration published a presidential memorandum on 30 June 2025 that further strengthened the economic, commercial and financial siege against Cuba.

Since the illegal and criminal US military actions in Venezuela, the US has ramped up its aggression towards Cuba, threatening regime change and extreme economic sanctions. There is a very real risk that Cuba is next on the list for Trump and Marco Rubio. This aggression is driven solely by the far-right American Government's hatred of Cuba and Trump's attempt to destroy the last remnants of the rules-based international order.

The Irish Government and the EU have been far too weak in criticising the US attacks in Venezuela and it would be a disgrace if they allowed the Trump regime to walk all over them again when it comes to Cuba. If we believe in national sovereignty and human rights, US aggression against Cuba or any other country has to be opposed at every turn. I urge the Irish Government to not sit quietly by while Trump threatens the independence of Cuba, because I believe Cuba and the Cuban people will win at the end of the day.