Cuba's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Pedro Luis Pedroso. PL Photo
New York, November 5 (RHC)-- Cuba's permanent representative to the United Nations, Pedro Luis Pedroso, denounced Thursday in New York that when the U.S. government issues unilateral lists and certifications, it hinders cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Washington's promulgation of such politically motivated lists obstructs collaborative efforts and contravenes international law; the ambassador told the Special Meeting of the Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee.
"We reject the use of the fight against terrorism to cover up acts of aggression, undermine national sovereignty, interfere in the internal affairs of other States, and violate the human rights of their peoples," he stressed during his speech.
The U.N. should pronounce itself against this type of designations, which only serve to stigmatize and exert pressure against countries that, in a sovereign manner, do not comply with the will of the United States, the ambassador said.
He also pointed out that it is up to the multilateral organization, due to its universal nature, to lead the international community's efforts in the fight against terrorism, based on respect for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law.
Mr. Pedroso affirmed that the fight against terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, requires an integrated approach. The actions of prevention and confrontation must be accompanied by concrete actions to eliminate its root causes.
He also reiterated Cuba's firm willingness to contribute to the collective efforts led by the U.N. to eliminate international terrorism.
Last May 25, the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in official communication in the Federal Register, placed the Caribbean nation in the group of countries that, according to Washington, do not fully cooperate with its anti-terrorist efforts.
After learning of the fact, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected the statement and said that with that decision, U.S. President Joe Biden is turning his back on the island's people and his own country by continuing the provisions of former President Donald Trump.
