"Cuba is prepared for a total blockade," affirms its representative to the UN

Cuba's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, stated that the island is prepared to face a potential "total blockade" by the United States and that in the mindset of the Cuban people, "the word surrender is not an option."

In statements to the EFE agency from the Cuban mission headquarters in New York, the diplomat asserted that if Washington were to impose a complete blockade, the country has plans and resources to face it.

"Our priority is to protect the population and ensure essential services," he stated.

Soberón stated that the current energy pressure, following the suspension of oil shipments from Venezuela and the threat of sanctions against countries supplying crude oil to Cuba, is part of a strategy aimed at weakening the island and generating social discontent.

He acknowledged, however, that the impact is already evident in the reorganization of airline schedules, the decrease in tourism revenue, and logistical complications affecting food transport and internal mobility.

The Cuban economy is experiencing its worst crisis in decades. In the last five years, the country has lost about 15% of its gross domestic product and more than 20% of its population, according to data cited by EFE.

The diplomat admitted that the sanctions have a "cumulative" effect after more than six decades of embargo and that the lack of fuel exacerbates the situation.

However, he assured that Cuba has faced similar scenarios in the past, such as the so-called "special period," and that it currently has greater capabilities to withstand.

Soberón mentioned the existence of a plan for a "zero option" scenario, which would involve a total blockade, although he expressed hope that they would not have to reach that point.

In the energy sector, he emphasized efforts to promote renewable sources and improve the refining of heavy crude for electricity generation.

On the possibility of dialogue with the United States, he reiterated that Cuba is willing to engage in conversation under conditions of “mutual respect, equality, and non-interference,” and asserted that the willingness to dialogue has been a constant in the island's foreign policy.