LONDON - The trial corresponding to the lawsuit filed against the Banco Nacional and the Republic of Cuba before the High Court of London concluded on February 2. Between Wednesday and Thursday, the lawyers of both parties gave the closing argument, a moment that was attended by the Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez. Once the sessions were over, he agreed to answer some questions:
-Why did you consider it important to go to London?
-The Cuban State was being sued in the High Court in London. I preside over a working team to defend the position of the National Bank and the State, made up of prestigious lawyers and representatives of the institutions in charge of these matters. As it is known, the trial that examined the evidence took place during these two weeks. Due to the importance of the matter, and taking into account the transparency of the position we defend, we decided to be present at the Court. Work issues prevented me from being physically present all the days but, fortunately, we were able to be present during the closing arguments of our lawyers.
-What is your perception of the development of the trial?
-From the first stage in Havana and onwards, we have been constantly updated on the development of the trial. The planned schedule was complied with. I would like to highlight the seriousness and strict adherence to the rules by the English Court and its authorities in the organization of each one of the moments of the trial. Several witnesses proposed by our lawyers testified from Havana in real time, and I would also like to highlight the organization that allowed compliance with the technological and legal protocols required by the English Court.
-Were there any substantial revelations that modify the position of the BNC and Cuba?
-No. Our position remains the same. As we have always argued: CRF is a vulture fund, it is not our creditor, nor has it ever been. What CRF has done is to try to appropriate Cuban debt positions through illicit acts. The development of the hearings during all these days does not change anything of the above. There is even evidence, documents that were shown during the process, which demonstrate that the vulture fund had intentionally intended to pressure Cuba to pay the debt of which they are not the holders, at a delicate moment such as the passage of Hurricane Ian and, in addition to file this claim. intentionally, at such a delicate moment as was the passage of Hurricane Irma, intended to pressure Cuba to obtain the payment of a debt of which they are not the holders and, in addition, to establish this judicial claim. And if this claim ended with an unfavorable ruling for us, it would try to prevent the free flow of funds to and from Cuba, and thus effectively block the country's access to international financial markets.
-Fake news about the trial and media attacks have been published. What is your opinion on the matter?
-They lie and deceive because they are not right. If they were right, they would be objective. They have tried to discredit the country by using a judicial proceeding that, as has been said, is of a mercantile nature as a basis. Some of them violated the rules of the Court, with illegal behaviors for which they were warned and notified to the Police by the Court itself and an investigation is currently underway. They have even emphasized attacking, threatening, defaming and harassing our lawyers and the Cuban delegation present here in London, bypassing the rules of freedom of expression.
-By the way, Minister, how is Cuba's defense team made up?
-We have structured our defense strategy with the legal services of a leading international law firm in Latin America; that firm coordinates the actions through the barristers and solicitors required by English law.
All our lawyers are of recognized professional prestige and were hired to face a highly complex legal process in financial, commercial and international litigation matters.
The lawyers have worked with professionalism, ethics and legal rigor, for which we ratify our support and confidence. From their professional duty, they have fulfilled their mission to defend us in a complex and long process.
-Now that the trial is over, what will happen?
-Once all the evidence was concluded, the lawyers of the parties presented their final arguments before the Judge, in which they reflected the evidence and legal arguments that support the positions of each one of them. From now on, it is up to the Court to issue a sentence, which will be produced according to the flow of matters being settled in the Court. The practice of this body is that the judgment is not issued immediately. Finally, I ratify that our position is to defend the truth.
Translated by ESTI
