The international situation has become increasingly insecure, tense with greater uncertainty and peril due to the unrestrained hegemonism and unilateralism of the US government, its ideological and cultural intolerance, unilateral coercive measures, and attempts to impose a single model on the world. This also includes blocking access to technologies and knowledge, and disrupting global industrial and supply chains.

We must reject the threatening proposal of a new doctrine dubbed "peace through strength"—a doctrine that amounts to imposing arbitrary will via executive edicts of US imperialism, which promotes the use of threats, coercion and aggression. Conceived to please the ambitions of a declining unipolar power, it also serves the interests of major transnational corporations at the expense of the rights of sovereign nations and their peoples, and the values upon which the United Nations was founded.

US aggression against Cuba is nothing new.

Successive US administrations have implemented all kinds of political pressure, attempts at diplomatic isolation, disinformation campaigns, incitement of desertion and illegal emigration, espionage, economic warfare, subversion, terrorist and sabotage acts, biological warfare, and the support of armed gangs. They have hatched hundreds of plots to assassinate the key leaders of the Cuban Revolution, and even launched a direct aggression by a mercenary army—an army that was defeated in less than 72 hours.

These acts have inflicted enormous damage and harm on Cuba and its people, bringing countless shortages and suffering.

We must emphasize that the Cuban Revolution forever broke with geographic fatalism and the sinister Monroe Doctrine. It emerged from within our nation in opposition to the bloody Batista dictatorship, which was propped up and backed by the United States.

One of the first measures adopted by the revolutionary government was to convert military barracks into schools. It built hospitals in every province, electrified the entire country, and turned Cuba into a nation of men and women of science. Cuba has fought against all forms of discrimination and injustice, stood in solidarity with others, and never let up for a moment in the face of the aggression of successive US governments.

The US government’s failed attempts to economically strangle this small, sovereign, independent and solidarity-driven nation have been a constant.

From the early years of the Revolution, it unilaterally eliminated Cuba’s entire sugar quota in the US market, and set out then to cut off fuel supplies and paralyze Cuba’s economy.

In recent years, and more brutally in previous weeks, the US government has escalated its actions—including the outrageous move to block our fuel supplies.

Cuba firmly rejects and condemns such unilateral, interventionist and extraterritorial acts. The US President’s decree flagrantly violates international law, the Declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as well as the freedom of trade and navigation. It infringes upon the sovereignty of Cuba and third countries alike.

All peoples have the right to self-determination, and no people may be deprived of their means of subsistence under any circumstances.

Faced with difficulties in accessing international fuel due to the energy blockade imposed by the United States, Cuba is advancing its energy transition process, including the use of renewable energy sources. By the end of 2025, we had installed 1,000 megawatts of photovoltaic solar park projects, while restoring thermal power generation capacity. In addition, we are installing 5,000 more photovoltaic modules and aim to recover wind power generation capacity. We will rely primarily on our own energy sources, without renouncing our sovereign right to import fuel.

Its unattainable goal is to break the political will of the Cuban people, Party and government.

For the past 67 years, our enemies have repeatedly predicted the imminent end of the Revolution at various occasions, while cynically attempting to portray its hardships as the result of "our own mistakes" rather than their ruthless aggression.

They had a so-called "provisional government" waiting impatiently in Miami with their bags packed for the cowardly Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

In the 1990s, following the collapse of the socialist bloc and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, when the world became unipolar, the then US government opportunistically intensified the blockade, believing it would bring about the defeat of the Revolution.

Once again, we will frustrate their goal of breaking the resistance of the Cuban people. They will never destroy the example, moral strength and prestige that the Cuban Revolution represents.

The spontaneous and massive posthumous tribute to our 32 heroes who fell bravely in Caracas, the march of the combatant  people, and the torch march led by our young people on January 27—these were a testimony of the unity, dignity and resolve of our noble, generous and heroic people in the face of adversity.

We have a military doctrine based on the defensive concept of the War of All the People.

We also have patriotism, unity, the close bond between our leaders and the people, the Communist Party of Cuba, creative resistance, popular participation and oversight, and the ability to independently decide our national and international policies. We continue to promote the necessary transformations, including greater municipal autonomy.

Our people have earned the respect, admiration and affection of the rest of the world.

The international community can clearly see which is the aggressor nation and which is the victim.

Our willingness to engage in serious and responsible dialogue with the United States is also nothing new.

This willingness has been renewed directly and publicly, but we will not accept pressure, threats or intimidation, and any dialogue must be based on respect for our sovereignty, independence and self-determination.

We have international solidarity and support.

Cuba is not alone, for we are defending a just cause and fighting for the good of humanity.

Despite slander and hypocrisy, despite aggression and conspiracies, the Revolution remains in power, backed by the vast majority of our people.

For its part, socialist China is consolidating its position as a safeguard of peace and multilateralism. It is a factor of stability, balance and opportunity on the global stage, and a beacon of hope for the Global South, including Latin America and the Caribbean. China is an open, inclusive country integrated into the world, with a proven commitment to sharing the opportunities brought by its high-quality development.

We support and welcome the rise of a modern socialist power—China—that opposes hegemonism and stands in solidarity with the countries of the Global South.

Cuba is grateful and honored to have the solidarity and support of the a friendly nation like the People’s Republic of China at this decisive hour. As the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, we are working with China to accelerate the joint construction of a bilateral Community with a Shared Future—a concrete expression of the implementation of the important consensuses reached between the presidents of our two countries.