Senators Affirm Support for Cuba and Meet with Cuban Ambassador
Senator Judy White, co-chair of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary
Friendship Group (left); His Excellency Rodrigo Malmierca
Díaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Canada (right)
On February 26, Senator Judy White, co-chair of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group, rose in the Senate to deliver a statement in which she reaffirmed solidarity with the Cuban people. They face worsening conditions amidst the economic blockade by the United States government, and the January 29 Executive Order by U.S. President Donald Trump that aims to cut off Cuba's access to imported oil.
In her statement, Senator White acknowledged the complex effects and consequences the energy blockade applied by the United States is having on Cuba. She said that the U.S. blockade is preventing the normal functioning of the country, with the aim of provoking a humanitarian crisis. In this regard, she recalled that the international community, including Canada, has repeatedly rejected the U.S. policy to blockade Cuba.
The Senator also stressed that Canada has maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations with Cuba since 1945 and that, over eight decades, both countries have built a relationship based on constant dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation, that is maintained based solely on the considerations of the two countries. She also referred to strong bilateral ties in the commercial, cultural and tourist fields, noting that nearly 1 million Canadians visit Cuba each year.
The speech concluded with a recognition of His Excellency Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Canada, present at the session, thanking him for his contribution to making broadly known the reality that Cuba is experiencing today.
Senators Meet with Cuban Ambassador
Also that same day, Canadian Senators who are members of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group met with Ambassador Malmierca to discuss the situation in Cuba.
During the exchange, Ambassador Malmierca said that the U.S. decision to label Cuba as a threat to its national security is unfounded and meaningless and seeks to undermine the will of the Cuban people through sanctions and coercion. In addition, he pointed out that the current siege on Cuba's energy system constitutes a resurgence of the commercial and financial economic blockade that for more than 60 years has been applied by U.S. administrations for purposes of regime change. He also explained that this policy affects not only the Cuban people, but also the Canadian people and companies that do business with Cuba.
The ambassador also conveyed Cuba's appreciation to Canada for its recent announcement of humanitarian aid to Cuba -- $8 million in food aid delivered through UN agencies -- which shows the long-standing relations between the two countries.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries, in line with the principles of respect, sovereignty and international cooperation that have historically characterized the relations between Canada and Cuba.
(Minrex)
This article was published in
Volume 56 Number 3 - March-April, 2026
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/MS56038.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca