Santiago, Chile, April 1 (Prensa Latina) Cuba affirmed today at ECLAC that five years into the horizon outlined in the 2030 Agenda, its principles are far from being fulfilled, and urged wealthy countries to honor what they have agreed to in official development assistance.

By Carmen Esquivel

Participating in a forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the head of the Cuban delegation, William Díaz, warned about the lack of political will among the most economically advanced nations to contribute 0.7 percent of their Gross Domestic Product to this goal.

The reform of the international financial architecture, encompassing both institutions and their governance structure, cannot be delayed, said the director general of international cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex).

The official also urged facilitating access to long-term financing and improving assistance, technology transfer, and capacity building programs.

In his remarks, the Cuban representative denounced the obstacles to development created by unilateral coercive measures applied against several countries.

He cited the case of the unjust and criminal blockade maintained by the United States against Cuba for more than six decades and, in particular, the inclusion of the island on the list of alleged sponsors of terrorism, a place it should never be.

The blockade affects all sectors, and one of its greatest impacts is the persecution of all our financial transactions, the Mincex official told Prensa Latina.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, aims to share experiences to overcome the region’s gap in achieving the SDGs. Government representatives, UN officials and experts, members of international and regional organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society are participating in the event, which will run until April 4.

A decade ago, 193 United Nations member states approved an ambitious agenda of 17 goals for 2030 that seek to eliminate poverty, improve education and health, achieve gender equality, decent work, and economic growth, among other objectives.

However, according to ECLAC studies, less than a quarter of the goals have been achieved or are expected to be achieved in the next five years.

In the view of the United Nations agency, progress requires financing and strengthening international and regional cooperation, as well as multisectoral alliances.

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Managua, March 30 (Prensa Latina) Cubans living in Nicaragua, solidarity groups, and members of the diplomatic mission here today raised their voices against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the island.

During the celebration of the Bridges of Love initiative, commemorating the 63rd and 64th anniversaries of the Union of Young Communists (UJC) and the José Martí Pioneers Organization (OPJM), respectively, those present reaffirmed their support for Cuba and demanded an end to the regulations imposed on the island for more than six decades.

Speaking at the event, Camila Martínez denounced the direct impact of the siege on Cuban children, adolescents, and young people, and noted that Washington’s unilateral measure is a daily condemnation that limits access to medicines, school supplies, food, and a dignified future.

“The blockade is an invisible wall that stands between our children and young people and their right to grow up healthy. Cuba, through the efforts of its doctors and scientists, has made admirable progress, but how many more lives could we save and medicines we could provide to humanity if we weren’t suffocated by this cruel policy,” he emphasized.

In this regard, he stated that despite this measure, Cuban children continue to be educated, creative, and learn that true power lies in knowledge and solidarity.

Martínez recalled the creation of the OPJM and the UJC on April 4, 1961, and 1962, respectively, while expressing that Cuba’s future is being written with the same determination as those years.

“With the same conviction that a better world is possible, and with the certainty that as long as there is a dignified Cuban, the Revolution will remain alive. Let no one be mistaken, our generation will not give up; we will continue to defend our sovereignty, health, and education,” he emphasized.

For his part, the president of the Association of Cuban Residents in Nicaragua, Rafael Ruiz, denounced the United States government’s aggressiveness against countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

In this regard, he mentioned the recent trip to the Caribbean by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attempted to pressure countries with Cuban medical brigades.

But once again, another failure, countries have acted bravely, Ruiz commented, while mentioning the actions against migrants by the Donald Trump administration.

“As Ernesto Che Guevara taught us, we cannot trust imperialism. The key in this moment of extreme aggression is the unity of all revolutionaries,” he emphasized.

Along these lines, Ernestina Navarro, in the name of solidarity, called for continued defense of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua from imperial policies and urged continued honoring of heroes and martyrs.

As part of the activity, the youngest members of the state mission laid white flowers before the bust of José Martí. Amira and Anngie recited the poem “Oh My Beloved Girl!” by Nicaraguan artist Rubén Darío, while singer-songwriter Alejandro Guillén performed “Quién Fuera” and “Playa Girón” by Silvio Rodríguez.

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