No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCubaRaúl Castro to speak at UN General Assembly for first time

Raúl Castro to speak at UN General Assembly for first time

HAVANA, Cuba — Cuban President Raúl Castro will address the U.N. General Assembly for the first time at the end of September, Havana confirmed Wednesday.

A draft schedule published Tuesday by the United Nations indicated that the Cuban leader would speak on Sept. 28, the same day as U.S. President Barack Obama.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez confirmed the appearance, which comes just two months after Washington and Havana reestablished diplomatic relations after more than a half century of enmity.

Castro is expected to use his speech to push for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba, which has been in place since 1962.

The U.N. General Assembly has voted each year since 1982 to approve a resolution calling on the United States to lift the embargo.

In 2013 and 2014, Cuba received record support from 188 countries.

Since the rapprochement with Cuba, the Obama administration also has expressed support for lifting the embargo, but the decision rests with Congress where a Republican majority opposes the move.

More than 160 world leaders are expected at the U.N. General Assembly, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

China’s President Xi Jinping will also be making his debut, delivering his address on Sept. 28 shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin, who returns to the United Nations after a 10-year absence.

Fidel Castro took part in the gathering on four occasions following the Cuban revolution in 1959, including for a final time at the United Nation’s 2000 Millennium summit.

This would be Raúl Castro’s first speech to the U.N. General Assembly since he succeeded his brother as president in 2006.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Under Yellow Alert as Saturated Ground Raises Flood Risk

If you are driving to Limón, Turrialba or the southern Pacific today, expect delays and check the road before you leave. A yellow alert...

Costa Rica Earthquake Near Orosi Followed by 60 Aftershocks

OVSICORI-UNA revised Friday night's Cartago earthquake to magnitude 5.0 at 8 km depth near Orosi and counted 60 aftershocks between 8:16 p.m. Friday and 5:00 a.m. Saturday.

Costa Rica Reaches the Heart of the Romería on the Feast of La Negrita

Today is the day the walking stops. August 2 is the feast of the Virgen de los Ángeles, the small dark stone image Costa...

Costa Rica Warns Tourists That Wildlife Souvenirs Can Lead to Criminal Charges

A shell picked up on a beach walk, a piece of coral, a seed pod, a carved trinket bought from a roadside stand —...

Costa Rica Reports Sharp Increase in Human Trafficking Investigations

Human trafficking investigations in Costa Rica have already surpassed the total recorded during all of last year, with sexual exploitation accounting for most of...

Novak Djokovic Returns to Cincinnati With US Open History at Stake

Novak Djokovic will return to the Cincinnati Open in August, choosing one final hard-court tournament before resuming his pursuit of a record 25th Grand...

Serena and Venus Williams Set for Cincinnati Open Doubles Return

Serena and Venus Williams will play doubles together for the first time since 2022 after the Cincinnati Open handed the sisters a wildcard into...

Panama Named the World’s Best Country for Expats for a Third Straight Year

Panama has been ranked the best country in the world for people living abroad for the third consecutive year, according to the Expat Insider...

Costa Rica Orders AyA to Compensate Customers Over Excess Water Charges

An audit put improper water, sewer and hydrant charges at roughly ₡65.4 billion and gave AyA and Aresep until June 2027 to define how customers will be paid back.
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel