Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Tuesday said the long-standing illegal U.S. energy embargo against Cuba constitutes an act of war.
Rodriguez made the remarks during a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate on the "necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."
"The U.S. government is waging a multidimensional, unconventional war against Cuba, which has lasted for nearly seven decades and has grown even more brutal over the past seven months. The United States is imposing an energy system collapse on Cuba. This maritime blockade constitutes an act of war. Access to fuel supplies to Cuba, both commercial and humanitarian, has been cut off, with the United States resorting to direct threats, unilateral coercive actions, and even the harassment or intimidation of tankers by military means," Rodriguez said.
At the onset of the debate, Jeffrey Bartos, U.S. representative to the United Nations for UN management and reform, strongly opposed the holding of a second debate on the topic, which was already convened as part of the UNGA's annual work in October 2025. He decried it as a "wasteful" use of UN funds, and then called for a recorded vote on whether to reopen the agenda item.
The UNGA then adopted a motion to proceed with the debate, with 136 votes in favor, 9 against and 30 abstentions.
In his speech, Rodriguez said that in the last few months, the humanitarian damage to the Cuban population has intensified, which has led to a worsening in the quality of life, the reduction of the means of subsistence, the limitation of the potential for personal, family and social development, and the massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of an entire people "in an act of collective punishment."
The cumulative damage caused by the U.S. blockade since it was first imposed amounts to 178.7 billion U.S. dollars at current prices, according to Rodriguez.
Noting that the hostility and threats that Cuba faces today are part of a worrying sequence of violations of international law and are a prelude to what might happen to any other country tomorrow, the minister said it is essential to defend the founding values of the UN, international law and the UN Charter.
He stressed that there has been no statement by the Cuban government, no evidence, and not the slightest hint indicating that Cuba has intended to threaten the United States.
Cuba is the nation that is being threatened, Rodriguez said, adding that Cuba is a nation committed to the defense of peace, international law, multilateralism, truth and justice.
Several international and regional organizations delivered speeches at the debate. These included the Group of 77 (G77), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, all calling on the United States to end its blockade against Cuba.
Cuban FM slams US energy embargo against Cuba as act of war
