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The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, said this Saturday that the United Nations "are no longer effective" as an arbiter of international conflicts.
“The United Nations cannot prevent wars (…) someone could perfectly say that they are no longer effective,” said Petro, in his host speech at the High-Level Forum of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and Africa taking place in Bogotá.
Petro believes that the UN "can enter a state of paralysis" due to its inability to solve global issues, particularly armed conflicts
"I believe that if we do not want to extend the conflict in the Middle East into a worldwide economic catastrophe, a global social crisis, and a world war—as we are already beginning to see with the war in Ukraine—humanity must demand, in words and on the streets, an immediate ceasefire," the leftist added.
During the Summit, Petro handed over the pro tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to Yamandú Orsi.
"Our region made a profound political decision some time ago: to choose peace (…) not as an empty slogan, but as a vibrant way to build freedoms," said Orsi, while receiving the pro tempore presidency of the organization for the 2026-2027 period.
The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, said this Saturday that the regime is open to a "serious dialogue" and "without interference" with the United States,
“We will also be ready for a serious and responsible dialogue with the government of the United States without interference in internal matters or in the respective political, economic, and social systems,” Rodríguez commented during the High Level Forum of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and Africa, which is being held in Bogotá, according to EFE.
In his speech, Rodríguez Parilla exhausted the usual clichés of the regime's propaganda.
He stated that Cuba will defend its sovereignty "at all costs" and criticized the intensification of U.S. sanctions.
"We are witnessing today the return of aggressive imperialist practices, unvarnished or barely disguised under modern rhetoric. The doctrine of peace through strength, advocated by Washington, is the new expression for domination, military interventions, threats, and the use of force," he said.
He also requested support from Latin American and African countries for his medical missions, stating that “no campaign of discredit can or will erase the proven and significant impact of Cuba's collaboration in countries across all regions for over six decades, particularly in the field of health.”
On Wednesday, the island's foreign minister accused the United States of trying to “destroy the constitutional order and take control of the country,” in a message posted on social media following recent statements by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Cuba.
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