Cuban Foreign Ministry Director for the U.S. rejects false accusations made by the State Department

The U.S. government acts dishonestly when it expresses concern for the human rights situation in Cuba…If the U.S. was truly interested in the human rights of Cubans, it would not impose a criminal blockade or create obstacles to orderly emigration and consular services

Photo: Internet The Cuban Foreign Ministry’s General Director for the United States, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, rejected a document on Cuba published by the U.S. Secretary of State, the evening of December 10, 2018, stating, “With the lack of respect that is customary for the United States government when referring to human rights, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has published a letter he alleges was sent to Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, which had not been received at the time of its publication.”

Cossío added, “The U.S. government acts dishonestly when it expresses concern for the human rights situation in Cuba or any other place,” continuing, “Its historic record, constant, flagrant abuse of its own population and the populations of many countries in the world, and its alliance throughout history with dictatorial regimes which have committed crimes of the most egregious nature, discredit the moral authority of the U.S. government.”

In Fernández de Cossío’s view, “The supposed letter from the Secretary of State and its public manipulation are nothing more than propaganda stunts.” 

He stated that they are a reflection of “the unwillingness of this government to sit down face to face with Cuba, with seriousness and commitment, in a bilateral dialogue between equals, to consider the issue of human rights and ways to honestly advance toward constructive cooperation on the issue,” adding, “If the United States were truly interested in the human rights of Cubans, it would not impose a criminal economic blockade that punishes the entire country, nor create more obstacles to orderly emigration and consular services, on which tens of thousands of Cubans depend.”

“Cuba is a country in which human rights are respected,” emphasized the director. He added that, as opposed to the United States, “the Cuban government and society as a whole are mobilized to promote and guarantee the legal framework, public policies, and effective enjoyment of citizens’ rights, including the right to a dignified life, free of exploitation, marginalization, social alienation, discrimination of any kind, violence, crime, and abuse of power, and with access to quality healthcare and education for the entire population.”