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

Visiting El Salvador During the August Holiday Week

Anyone planning to visit El Salvador in early August should be ready for one of the busiest holiday periods, when San Salvador’s patron saint...

Migrant Dollars Still Flowing Into Central America Despite New Fee

Remittances to Central America are still climbing in 2026, led by Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, even as a new U.S. tax on some...

Costa Rica Under Weather Alert After Tropical Wave Triggers Flooding

Costa Rica starts the day dealing with the effects of Tropical Wave 19, after heavy rains flooded homes, forced residents into emergency shelters, closed...

Colombia Moves Into World Cup Last 16 With Tight Win Over Ghana

Colombia kept South America’s World Cup charge moving late Friday night, beating Ghana 1-0 to claim the final place in the Round of 16...

João Fonseca Falls at Wimbledon as Brazil’s Run Ends

João Fonseca’s Wimbledon run ended Friday with a flat but revealing third-round defeat, as Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin beat the Brazilian teenager 6-3, 6-3,...

Costa Rica Flood Emergency Winds Down and Damage Assessment Begins

Costa Rica's week-long flood emergency in the Caribbean and Northern Zone has begun to wind down, with the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) reporting...

Costa Rica Drops Plate Rule as Vacation Traffic Heads to the Coasts

San José’s weekday vehicle plate restriction will be suspended from July 6 to July 17 as Costa Rica starts its midyear school vacation period,...

Costa Rica on Green Alert as Tropical Wave Triggers Flooding Risk

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has declared a Green Alert for the entire country as Tropical Wave No. 19 moved across Costa Rica today,...

Costa Rica Bill Could Make Some Small Loans More Expensive

A government-backed bill moving through Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly could make some small consumer loans more expensive by shifting them into a category that...
🌴 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