The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, denounced—during the third broadcast of Shared Views on Radio Rebelde—the participation of Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat in an event organized by Washington at the United Nations, as well as the diplomatic pressure exerted by the United States to secure changes in votes, abstentions, or absences during the vote on October 28th.
DIRECT QUOTE FROM PRESIDENT MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL:
"It is the height of brazenness that Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat—whom Foreign Minister Bruno (Rodríguez) himself has identified as a known terrorist and swindler, and who is included on the Cuban government’s national list of individuals linked to terrorism—was presented there. Furthermore, he is accused in Miami of misappropriating federal funds intended for subversion against the island. This is whom the United States presents as an 'expert.'
When a government like that of the United States has to resort to such figures and such shameful practices, it proves that its position is not the right one. And another thing is clear: it was an act designed to divert attention from the support Cuba receives from the international community.
This farce is merely one visible aspect of a broader campaign of diplomatic harassment that the United States government has been carrying out in recent days." It is just as Bruno explained: the frantic effort by Washington—led by its Secretary of State through pressure and blackmail—to force heads of state and government to change their long-standing vote in favor of Cuba. We know that some will change their vote because they are intimidated by the pressure from the United States.
Yet, this aberrant behavior is also the clearest proof of the United States' own isolation. We hope that on the 28th, the vote will be cast for the truth, against the blockade, and in support of the Cuban people. We are confident that we will continue to have the backing of the international community—even if the United States, through its pressure, manages to shift some votes toward abstention (the logic being: "well, at least it’s an abstention").
Others may be asked to leave the room—opting to step out so as to avoid taking a stand. It is like trying to stay on good terms with both God and the devil: "I didn’t vote against you, but I didn’t vote with you either; I didn’t help you, but I managed to satisfy those who were pressuring me."
