Joe Biden will defend the human rights of Cubans in a meeting with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this Wednesday after the Brazilian president sharply criticized Washington’s embargo on Havana in his speech to the UN General Assembly, a statement that was also joined by other leaders allied to the Cuban regime.
At the meeting, which will also take place in New York, home of the UN headquarters, Biden will emphasize his administration’s “responsibility” for the “human rights of the Cuban people.”a senior White House official said in a phone call with reporters quoted by EFE.
It is the democratic government, he emphasized “seriously concerned” about the Cuban government’s actions to “silence” the protests on the island. and “maintain authoritarian control.”
“What has not happened and needs to happen is a conversation among the Cuban people about their future,” said the official, who cited the 11J demonstrations as an example.
The spokesman also referred to Lula’s criticism of the US embargo. The source pointed out that the decision whether to maintain it or not “is the responsibility of the US Congress,” adding that the Democratic administration has made “important changes” in terms of policy towards Cuba.
Among other things, he mentioned the work to “completely restore consular services” in Havana and the opening of remittance transfer.
American media reported this in the last few days Washington would soon allow Cuban entrepreneurs from the government-approved MSMEs that Havana offers as a private sector to open bank accounts in the United States and have access to your money from the island.
However, the White House has not yet confirmed the measure, which will be announced in the coming days.
Several Latin American leaders joined the United Nations in criticizing Washington’s embargo on Havana, including Argentina’s Alberto Fernández, Bolivia’s Luis Arce and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro.
The latter has already received a response from the United States after it called for the exclusion of Cuba from Washington’s list of countries supporting terrorism before the General Assembly.
“Cuba remains on the list of countries supporting terrorism,” said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Kristina Rosales.in statements to Radio Caracol from Colombia.
The official pointed out that “Cuba remains on the list, it is not leaving, we have no announcement or information that we will remove the country from the list or take any action that includes another country, a third country. “ Country that is in “In this case, says President Petro. Cuba remains on the list.”
The discordant note in the meeting came from Uruguayan Luis Lacalle Pouwho not only condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also He criticized what he called “authoritarian populism,” indirectly referring to regimes such as those of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
“I would like to agree with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and raise my voice against authoritarian populism that impoverishes its people, violates human rights and condemns current and future generations,” he said.
“Perhaps we should make another mea culpa in this area, because often the lack of a vigorous and effective response from the international community has exacerbated or failed to prevent these situations,” he added.
According to AFP, At the meeting, Biden and Lula will launch a global initiative to defend decent workas both have a “clear affinity” on this topic, the US official himself explained.
The aim of the initiative is to “promote the rights of workers around the world,” another official, who also asked to remain anonymous, said at the news conference.
“I think this underscores the fact that the relationship between the United States and Brazil is not just bilateral. It is global in nature” and both “share a common vision for equitable and inclusive economic growth,” the official added.
The aim is to involve more countries in the initiative to address the work challenges of the 21st century.
It is not clear whether this agreement addresses the allegations of international organizations about the labor exploitation to which Havana subjects thousands of professionals, especially doctors, whom it sends to dozens of countries and whose freedom of movement is restricted. , confiscates their passports and deducts between 70 and 75% of the wages they receive for their work, among other violations that human rights reporters have described as modern slavery.