In brief
At the 30th Ibero‑American Summit in Madrid, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced the United States’ intensified sanctions, calling them an energy blockade and a form of collective punishment. He urged Ibero‑American nations to act together in defense of sovereignty and mutual respect. The address was followed by a social media post from President Miguel Díaz‑Canel confirming the condemnation and highlighting the need for cooperation.
Cuban officials took to the podium at the Ibero‑American Summit in Madrid on Nov. 5 to denounce what they called an “energy blockade” and a “collective punishment” by the United States. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez’s remarks were broadcast to a gathering of 36 nations and were later amplified by Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel on social media.
The summit, which ran from Nov. 4 to 5, brought together leaders from the Americas and Iberia to discuss shared challenges. Díaz‑Canel shared a brief post that confirmed Rodríguez’s address and framed it as a warning against the growing economic strangulation they attributed to Washington.
During his speech, Rodríguez said that over the past decade the United States had intensified the embargo against Cuba, “pushing its obsessive war of economic strangulation…to inhumane levels of collective punishment.” He further accused Washington of imposing an “energy blockade” that, according to Cuban officials, functioned in the same way a naval blockade would operate in a conflict.
The United States has pushed its obsessive war of economic strangulation against Cuba to inhumane levels of collective punishment.
Rodríguez recounted that U.S. sanctions now target not only the Cuban state but also individuals and companies that seek to do business with the island. He described the new measures as “secondary sanctions” aimed at anyone attempting to trade with Cuba and warned that such actions would undermine the foundation of trade and partnership in the region.
He called for action in line with the founding principles of the Ibero‑American Community—equality, sovereignty and mutual respect. Rodríguez explained that the bloc’s current pro‑tempore secretariat, led by Honduras, should focus on advancing joint projects, sharing knowledge, and finding common solutions that would foster sustainable development. He urged member states to reject the alleged abuse of power and arbitrariness in U.S. sanctions policy.
In his conclusion, Rodríguez reiterated Cuba’s commitment to Ibero‑American cooperation and urged the delegation to take “collective action … to counter arbitrary sanctions.” He framed the Cuban position as a defense of national sovereignty and an appeal for solidarity against what they view as an international overreach.
There has been no public reaction from other summit participants to the Cuban statement, nor has the United States responded in this round of discussion. The Cuban message, however, is part of a broader effort to rally international support as U.S. sanctions continue to tighten, affecting a range of sectors from finance to energy.
The Ibero‑American Summit’s agenda typically covers issues such as trade, climate change and regional security. President Díaz‑Canel’s post and Rodríguez’s remarks come at a time when the bloc is being urged to adopt a more unified stance on external economic pressures that many view as destabilizing.
While the future diplomatic moves remain uncertain, the Cuban officials’ condemnation of U.S. sanctions signals a clear intent to galvanize Ibero‑American nations against what they call an “energy blockade.” The World’s attention will be split between the unfolding economic strategies of Washington and the responses—if any—of the cities and towns that have long aligned themselves with Cuban cause.
As this diplomatic flare-up continues, observers will note whether the Ibero‑American Community follows Cuba’s call for collective action, and whether such solidarity translates into concrete policy changes or merely counters rhetoric.
