UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States continues to be the main obstacle to the development of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, said on Saturday.
Speaking at the General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Parrilla said that "economic aggression, no matter how hard threats and blackmails might be, will not extract a single concession from us."
In the course of last year, he said, the U.S. government has been steadily and qualitatively increasing its hostile actions and blockade against Cuba, by putting up additional obstacles to foreign trade and increasing the persecution of the banking and financial relations that Cuba has with the rest of the world.
The illegal Helms Burton Act of 1996 guides the "aggressive" behavior of the U.S. against Cuba, he said, adding that its essence is the stark attempt to question Cuba's right to free determination and national independence.
The most recent pretext, reiterated right here, last Tuesday, by the President of the United States Donald Trump, was that Cuba is to blame for the failed plan to overthrow the Bolivarian government of Venezuela, Parrilla said.
As part of its anti-Cuban obsession, the current U.S. administration, echoed by Brazil, is attacking the international medical cooperation programs that Cuba shares with tens of developing countries, which are designed to assist the neediest communities, he said.
The international medical cooperation programs have enjoyed, for many years now, the recognition of the international community, the UN and the World Health Organization for being the best example of South-South Cooperation, the Cuban foreign minister said.
"Bilateral relations between Cuba and Venezuela are based on mutual respect and true solidarity," he said. "We support, without any hesitation, the legitimate government headed by comrade Nicolas Maduro Moros and the civic and military unity of the Bolivarian and Chavista people."
"The behavior of the current U.S. administration and its strategy of military and nuclear domination are a threat to international peace and security," he said.
