Bruno Rodríguez appears before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of his international tour seeking support against the “energy siege” imposed by Washington
EFE/14ymedio, Geneva, February 23, 2026 – On Monday, Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council and sent a message to the United States that Cuba “will vigorously and courageously defend its right to self-determination,” while at the same time extending an offer to maintain dialogue based on mutual respect.
In an address to the forum, the foreign minister promised that a humanitarian crisis in Cuba would be prevented despite what his government calls the “energy siege” resulting from Washington’s decision to threaten tariffs on countries that export oil to the Island.
“Can a great power be allowed to attempt to destroy a small nation, provoke a humanitarian tragedy, shatter its national culture (…) all under the crude pretext of national security?” the foreign minister asked.
“Can a great power be allowed to attempt to destroy a small nation, provoke a humanitarian tragedy, shatter its national culture (…) all under the crude pretext of national security?”
On that point, he acknowledged that the situation created by the United States would cause “deprivation and suffering,” although he expressed confidence that “creative solutions” would be found to mitigate the humanitarian damage.
Nevertheless, in the same speech, the foreign minister assured that “there is also willingness for dialogue with the United States,” but emphasized that it would have to be based on “international law, mutual respect, and reciprocal benefit, without preconditions or interference in internal affairs.”
Rodríguez said the goal should be “to achieve a civilized relationship within our differences, and even to promote cooperation.”
In one passage of his speech, the Cuban minister praised the “community resistance of the people of Minnesota,” referring to demonstrations against the U.S. federal government’s immigration policy and the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In recent weeks, the United States has repeatedly claimed that it is holding talks with representatives of the Cuban regime and has even insisted that part of the Cuban government is unaware of them. Accounts differ over who is involved in the dialogue, whether it is a son or a grandson of Raúl Castro.
The government of Miguel Díaz-Canel denies this and says that everything Washington states is intended to sow distrust in Havana, while acknowledging that talks do exist: the usual ones limited to migration and drug trafficking issues.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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