Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodíguez Parrilla speaks to domestic and foreign press.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez affirmed that the US economic, commercial and financial embargo is causing serious damage to non-state economic activities in Cuba, significantly affecting the operations of many private enterprises, business owners and cooperatives.

Although the US government has claimed that some of its measures are aimed at promoting private sector development, Minister Rodríguez stressed that this is not the case.

A report on the impact of the US embargo is expected to be submitted by Cuba to the United Nations General Assembly in October. The report, based on UN General Assembly resolution 78/7, stresses the need to end the embargo against Cuba.

The report found that 685 Cuban small, medium and micro enterprises suffered losses due to the embargo in 2023. These businesses had difficulty accessing the financial and technological services needed to operate and grow.

The US's inclusion of Cuba on the list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism" also increases the risks for Cuba's international transactions, making it difficult for foreign companies to do business with private enterprises on the island.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez affirmed that the US economic, commercial and financial embargo is causing serious damage to non-state economic activities in Cuba.

Minister Rodríguez pointed out that from March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024, Cuba suffered losses of up to 5,056.8 million USD due to the embargo, an increase of nearly 200 million USD compared to the previous report. This loss is equivalent to about 421 million USD per month. Over the past six decades, the losses caused by the US embargo on Cuba have amounted to 1,499 billion USD.

Without the US embargo, Cuba's gross domestic product (GDP) could have grown by 8% in 2023. The damage is not limited to the state sector but has had a profound impact on Cuban families, especially in the context of economic hardship and shortages of basic goods.

The embargo has also severely impacted Cuba’s health and education sectors. While the US claims to support health and education services, the embargo has made it difficult for Cuba to import vital medical equipment, medicines, and educational materials, the report said. This has weakened the public health system and its ability to provide quality education to the Cuban people.

Minister Rodríguez stressed the growing support from the international community for Cuba. Since 1992, the international community has consistently rejected this embargo policy, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Cuba faced serious difficulties. He affirmed that Cuba is not alone in the fight against this "multidimensional embargo".

Mr. Rodríguez also stressed that Cuba is ready to dialogue with the US government based on mutual respect and bilateral interests, aiming towards an equal and non-interference relationship.