Cuba, Venezuela presidents reiterate solidarity with Palestine
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The presidents of Cuba and Venezuela voice their support for Palestine, condemning the US for its stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, center, marches in support of the Palestinian people amid the Israel-Hamas war, in Havana, Monday, October 14, 2024. (AP)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez denounced the United States for using its veto power during a United Nations Security Council session on November 20 to block a resolution that sought an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing violence in the region.
In a statement on the social media platform X, Díaz-Canel said, "Once again, the United States thwarts a ceasefire in Gaza, underscoring that its actions contradict its words."
He accused Washington of falsely claiming to oppose Israeli genocide in Gaza while actively blocking measures aimed at ending the violence, calling for accountability and an end to the Israeli occupation's impunity.
Estados Unidos volvió a hacerlo. Las declaraciones van por un lado y sus acciones por otro. Mientras afirman querer el fin del genocidio israelí en #Gaza, vuelven a vetar una resolución para el alto al fuego en el Consejo de Seguridad. Cese la impunidad.#CubaConPalestina 🇨🇺 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/V7ApKOTh9Y
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) November 21, 2024
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez echoed the condemnation, criticizing the US veto of the proposed ceasefire resolution. He described the move as further evidence of the US government's complicity in the Israeli occupation's genocide against the Palestinian people.
"Once again, Washington uses its veto in the Security Council against a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, along with humanitarian aid access for Gaza's civilians," Rodríguez stated.
Venezuela stands in solidarity with Palestinians
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also expressed his profound sorrow over the ongoing Israeli crimes against Palestinian children, women, and men.
"We share a common struggle with Iran for the rights of the Palestinian people," Maduro said, reiterating his call for a strong alliance between Arab, Islamic, and Global South nations to support Palestine.
He urged courageous governments worldwide to stand in defense of the Palestinian cause and uphold international law.
On November 20, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution advocating for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. The US justified its stance by claiming the resolution lacked condemnation of Hamas' October 7, 2023, Operation al-Aqsa Flood, while overlooking widespread criticism of Israeli war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.
The veto sparked international outrage, with leaders in Latin America and beyond accusing Washington of perpetuating the suffering in Gaza through its unwavering support for the Israeli occupation.
US objection
It is worth noting that before the session and during the drafting process, which extended late into the night, "the United States objected to a clause referencing the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)" against the Israeli regime, including the cessation of hostilities in Rafah, sources told Al Mayadeen.
The language was eventually revised to "delete any direct reference to the ICJ’s provisional measures but retained a statement affirming respect for the ICJ and its functions," as a compromise.
Moreover, the final draft resolution did not include a US request for "language establishing a permanent mechanism to review allegations raised by Israel regarding alleged ties between UNRWA staff and Hamas."
The US veto comes as the Israeli occupation continues its genocidal campaign against the Gaza Strip, killing more than 44,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
