The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong rebuke on Friday against what it described as a US-led campaign to place Rosa María Paya Acevedo as a commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an entity under the Organization of American States (OAS). The Ministry referred to Paya as a "notorious mercenary" and criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's effort to present her as an "impartial human rights expert."

According to the Cuban statement, the appointment was secured through "pressure and threats," including the potential withdrawal of cooperation budgets, despite opposition from numerous Latin American and Caribbean nations. It also accused Paya of supporting coups, disseminating disinformation, and calling for economic sanctions and military interventions in the region.

The Cuban government maintains that Paya's political activism and affiliations compromise her credibility and objectivity. The critique aligns with Havana's long-standing opposition to external interference in Latin American affairs, particularly through institutions like the OAS.

Wider context

An independent panel assessing candidates for the IACHR reportedly concluded that Paya demonstrated "limited knowledge of international human rights standards, jurisprudence, or doctrine." The panel also expressed concerns that her overt political activism could undermine the perceived independence of the commission.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) echoed these concerns, stating that Paya's history reveals "a repeated disregard for human rights and international law," including the spread of disinformation about OAS member governments.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry also criticized the IACHR for its role in supporting US narratives targeting Cuba's international medical missions. The Ministry condemned a recent OAS request for nations to disclose details of their health cooperation agreements with Cuba, calling it "an unprecedented violation of state sovereignty."

Reiterating its position, the Cuban government affirmed it "does not recognize, nor will it recognize, any moral or legal authority of the OAS or any of its officials and subsidiary or autonomous bodies."

The statement portrayed the OAS as an "imperialist instrument undermining regional sovereignty," reinforcing Cuba's long-held stance against the organization's legitimacy and influence.

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