‘Cuba cannot be intimidated’: behind U.S. expulsion of diplomats

Statement of Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations

Last September 12, the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York sent a communication to our Permanent Mission to the above global organization informing that two Cuban diplomatic officials had carried out activities outside their official capacity which were considered harmful to the United States.

The aforementioned communication stated that, unless Cuba provided information to justify otherwise, within 48 hours it would be requested to make the necessary arrangements for the departure of the two officials and their families before the end of September 20, 2019.

The Cuban Mission responded before the expiration of the period granted, specifically within 24 hours after receipt of the communication. However, the U.S. side, in flagrant violation of basic principles of diplomatic protocol, decided to respond by means of a tweet. This was done despite the fact that the consultation channel between the two Missions had been open since the beginning of the process.

In addition to the decision to unjustifiably expel the two Cuban diplomats, the said tweet also announced the aggravation of the illegal policy of restriction of movement to which the personnel from the Permanent Mission to the United Nations has historically been subjected, in clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations.

The Permanent Mission of Cuba categorically rejects the unjustified expulsion of its diplomats and the tightening of the policy of restrictions on the movement for its officials accredited in New York and their families.

At the same time, it denounces that the situation created seeks to provoke a diplomatic escalation that will lead to the closing of the bilateral embassies; to intensify even more the genocidal economic, financial and commercial blockade against the people of Cuba; and to hinder the battle the island is waging against it at the United Nations, only a few days before the beginning of the 74th session of the General Assembly.

The government of the United States intends to tarnish the prestige of Cuban revolutionary diplomacy, using the vulgar slander that the Cuban diplomats carried out acts incompatible with their diplomatic status.

With these actions, the U.S. government intensifies its hostile policy against the island, openly launching itself onto a provocative and interfering path against Cuba. It continues to ignore that the principles of Cuban diplomacy are not negotiable.

The new aggressions against the people, whom they have not been able to subdue after 60 years of heroic resistance, are an act of revenge and impotence. Cuba cannot be intimidated, neither with these nor with other provocations. Cuba will not renounce to fight for its independence and sovereignty. Cuba knows that it has right on her side and that it relies on the unity and determination to fight of its entire people and the support of the international community. 

New York, September 19, 2019