Cuban Ambassador Mercedes Vicente condemned the harmful effects of the U.S. blockade and the use of Guantánamo Bay for migrant detention during the ECLAC meeting. She emphasized international cooperation to uphold migrant rights and combat trafficking. Vicente noted Cuba’s collaboration with 24 countries and stressed the importance of dialogue to eliminate xenophobia. The meeting continues until March 20, with significant regional migration dynamics.
During a meeting of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Mercedes Vicente, the Cuban ambassador to Chile, condemned the detrimental effects of the U.S. blockade on her country and its designation as a terrorist sponsor. She criticized the use of the Guantánamo Bay naval base, an illegally occupied Cuban territory, as a migrant detention center.
Vicente participated in the second regional meeting focused on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, which included diverse representatives from governments, UN bodies, and civil society. She stressed the significance of international collaboration in safeguarding migrant rights and combating illegal activities such as human trafficking and smuggling.
The ambassador highlighted the necessity for enhanced dialogue among nations to combat xenophobia and discrimination, ensuring that the integrity and dignity of migrants are respected. Notably, she mentioned Cuba’s regular migration discussions with 24 countries. Vicente reflected on the longstanding nature of human mobility, noting that many individuals in the region descend from migrants who enriched local societies with their skills and histories.
“Let us safeguard the rights of those who migrate today, and we will be contributing to a more just future for all,” she urged at the conclusion of her remarks. This meeting, taking place until March 20, is jointly organized by ECLAC and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Recent UN estimates indicate that around 48.3 million individuals in the region are residing outside their home countries in 2024.
The article highlights the Cuban ambassador’s concerns regarding the U.S. blockade’s impact on migration and the misuse of Guantánamo Bay for detaining migrants. Vicente emphasized the need for international cooperation to protect migrants’ rights and combat discrimination. Her remarks reinforced the historical context of migration in the region while promoting dialogue among nations. The ongoing ECLAC meeting reinforces the urgency of addressing these migration challenges.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
