UN experts accuse US of 'colonial practices' against Cuba

United Nations experts have accused the United States of employing "colonial practices" through its attempts to destabilize Cuba. In a statement released in Geneva, these experts, who operate under the UN Human Rights Council but do not officially represent the organization, argued that efforts to alter a sovereign state's constitutional order via threats and coercion are reminiscent of colonial-era tactics.

The experts pointed to President Trump's "honor of taking Cuba" remarks as reflective of a "deeply concerning strategy of coercion" against a sovereign nation. They elaborated that this strategy extends beyond rhetoric, encompassing the long-standing U.S. embargo, Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, a recent energy blockade, and the imposition of coercive measures on third parties.

Cuba has been grappling with a severe economic crisis for years, exacerbated by the U.S. oil blockade and other sanctions. The pressure intensified last week with the indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro, accused of murdering Americans in a 1996 case. The experts view this indictment, along with the recent deployment of the aircraft carrier Nimitz to the Caribbean, as efforts to undermine Cuba's sovereignty.

These actions, occurring after the "kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro in January 2026" and President Trump's March 2026 proclamation of the "so-called Donroe Doctrine" asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, have caused "grave concern." The experts are calling on Washington to immediately cease all threats against Cuba's sovereignty and are urging UN member states to take appropriate measures within the UN framework to preserve international legal order. They also called for an urgent examination of threats to Cuba by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, framing it as a matter affecting international peace and security.