Chinese Foreign Minister on Cuba’s Energy Emergency and an MLT Editorial Comment

From the MLToday Editors

October 23, 2024

At his regular press conference on October 21, 2024 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian took a question from Prensa Latina, the Cuban news agency:

Prensa Latina: Cuba is facing an energy emergency. One of the main reasons of this situation is the inability to access oil sources due to the United States’ blockade and financial persecution. Do you have comment to share on this matter?

Lin Jian: The US blockade of Cuba has wreaked havoc on Cuba’s socioeconomic development and people’s life. China once again calls on the US to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international law, fully lift the blockade and sanctions on Cuba as soon as possible, and remove Cuba from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.” This is in the interests of both the US and Cuba and the two peoples, and conducive to regional stability and development. It is also what the wider international community calls for.

China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers. We feel for Cuba as it struggles. We believe under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban people will tide over the current difficulty and advance their socialist cause.

Sympathy is not enough. We at MLT share the view of the astute observers who pointed out  that the US blockade is the prime cause of the energy crisis in Cuba and that Cuba is a litmus test for BRICS+  and for People’s China in the first place, which has a special responsibility. BRICS leaders are meeting this week in Kazan, Russia. If that organization genuinely seeks a multipolar world,in which all states, both large and small, are equal, BRICS countries will immediately supply Cuba with the energy and equipment it needs in this emergency. Failure to do so will expose BRICS as a paper tiger, unwilling or unable to challenge US hegemony.

It goes without saying that the US left and all democratic forces must double and redouble their opposition to Washington’s blockade and its designation of Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

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