Cuba and Argentina lead the way in exchanging disqualifications

Cuenca (Ecuador) (EFE).- The Cuban and Argentinian delegations to the XXIX Ibero-American Summit, held in the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca, participated in a bitter exchange of invectives during the plenary session this Friday, when the Cuban representative Alleged Rodolfo Benítez called on the executive of Javier Miley to “come to blow up the summit”, while Argentina’s ambassador, Eduardo Acevedo rebuked him for saying that the Cuban government “violates human rights.”

Cuba’s representative accused Argentina of trying to sabotage the summit by denying climate change and the rights of women and indigenous peoples, but warned that it had failed in the objective by withdrawing from the declaration on which the government was working. Except the rest of the participants have signed. Of the far right Miley.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s representative assured that his country “cannot and will not remain indifferent to violations of the rule of law and human rights” and that “in the opinion of the Argentine Government, it is Cuba that must restore democracy and Must respect the human rights and freedoms of its inhabitants.

harsh exchange of statements

This harsh exchange of statements followed the confrontation between the two countries in adopting an official declaration to conclude this Ibero-American summit, as Argentina violated the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in gender matters. There was opposition to building a consensus to move forward, sources at the talks told EFE, which included equality and the fight against climate change, among other issues.

Meanwhile, the Cuban delegation opposed approving a declaration that did not condemn the United States blockade of the island, as the Argentine representation had intended.

“They made every effort to avoid statements” in favor of the above resolutions, condemned the representative of Cuba, who accused the Argentine delegation of using “hateful speeches” and “defending the blockade against Cuba” towards Washington. Attributed to “complete surrender”.

But according to Rodolfo Benítez, Argentina failed because “they did not get support from anyone”, in reference to the fact that it was excluded from the joint statement that replaces the official declaration and which “undermines the historical situation of the Ibero Denotes “-American nation.”

Argentina: “They bark, it’s a sign that we are riding”

“They bark, Sancho, a signal that we are riding,” Acevedo taunted the Cuban delegation in his response during the melee that broke out at the summit’s plenary session.

The Ambassador also replied that Argentina was prepared to ratify 71 of the 72 paragraphs of the (unsuccessful) Cuenca Declaration and 17 of the 24 Special Communiqués.

“The real reason why Cuba is carrying out this new attack has to do with the underlying situation that my delegation mentioned,” in reference to the Argentine representative’s first intervention before the plenary session, in which he was very critical of the governments . Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

In that first statement, Acevedo asked what action the Ibero-American Community, composed of twenty-two countries, was taking “against grave violations of human rights in Cuba, which continue after more than half a century of authoritarian and repressive governments. ” ,

“How is it possible that we remain silent in the face of this grave situation? He asked how is it possible that we are sitting at the same table debating calendars and statements without mentioning the ongoing siege of the free press in Nicaragua, the deprivation of nationality of political opponents and the harassment of civil society organizations?

“Our position is very clear: Cuba must restore democracy and respect human rights and individual freedoms. It is essential that it does not promote authoritarian policies in the region and that it focuses on improving the quality of life of its population by respecting freedoms and providing welfare to all its citizens,” he stressed.

Cuba: “Leaves Argentina alone”

To refute the arguments of government spokesman Javier Miley, the Cuban representative indicated: “Argentina can fulfill the order to attack Cuba that Washington gave it, but it is going alone.”

The representative of the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel pointed out that the Ibero-American summit “cannot become hostage to isolationist positions that seek to withdraw the coordination of positions achieved for more than three decades.”

“The future relevance and existence of this platform is at risk,” said Benítez, who demanded: “The historical legacy we have built must be respected, always setting aside our differences.”

And he continued by saying that Argentina cannot teach Cuba the lessons of democracy when the Meili government “abuses veterans and opposes the rights of indigenous people and women.”

Benítez recalled that during his speech at the plenary session he defended Argentina’s historic claim to sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, because “the friendship of the Argentine and Cuban peoples – he stressed – is independent of any political ideology and any person in power. More than the whims of the government.”

Argentina does not sign agreements in favor of women

The Argentine delegation to the XXIX Ibero-American Summit did not sign the agreements adopted by the nineteen countries participating in the event regarding women, strengthening democracy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), known as Agenda 2030, as That sources close to the EFE have confirmed that the final declaration of the meeting is under discussion.

Among the agreements not signed by Argentina are those on strengthening democracy and combating hate speech, the contribution of Ibero-American cooperation to the 2030 Agenda, and women in Ibero-American diplomacy.

Argentina, which was represented at the summit by its Ambassador to Ecuador, Eduardo Alejandro Acevedo Díaz, also did not support the International Year of the Coca Leaf and Camelids 2024, the role of indigenous women in the transformation of food systems.

The deliberations at the meeting of foreign ministers held this Thursday, before the official start of the XXIX Ibero-American Summit, lasted longer than expected, and made it difficult, according to meeting sources consulted by EFE, due to Argentina’s intransigence Went. Subscribing to an official declaration endorsed by the nineteen participating countries.

Obstacles to future summits

In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha, announced to EFE this Thursday that “taking into account the future of the summit, it does not seem prudent for some countries to hinder the interests of the summit.” Area.”

“We have to find a way, when there is greater consensus, to make progress. And if a country disagrees, of course its position should be left at the bottom of the page, respecting those sensitivities,” said the head of Panama diplomacy regarding the method of adopting the agreements.

This is the second international meeting in which the government of Argentine President Javier Meili articulates, in whole or in part, its critical vision in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the agenda on gender equality or the discussion about climate. crisis.

Last Wednesday, the Argentine delegation, composed of 85 people, withdrew for the third day of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), by order of President Miley, who has repeatedly been skeptical of global warming and has stated that he ” The principles of “Cultural Marxism”.