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

Panama Canal Monitors Maritime Trade After Iran Conflict

The Panama Canal Authority said Monday it is tracking changes in global shipping patterns after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliation and...

Drone Video Captures Massive Dolphin Pod Moving Past Drake Bay in Costa Rica

A drone video showing a massive pod of dolphins moving just offshore of Bahía Drake on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula has gone viral on...

Djokovic says Alcaraz equipped to extend winning streak

Novak Djokovic believes world number one Carlos Alcaraz has what it takes to keep his 2026 winning streak alive, and the Serbian star who...

Cities in Honduras and Guatemala ban Therian Meetups

At least eight cities in Honduras and Guatemala have announced over the past week that they are banning gatherings of so called “therians,” a...

Nosara Landowners Build Costa Rica’s First Voluntary Biological Corridor

Private landowners in Nosara have begun to register ecological easements that form the country’s first biological corridor created solely through voluntary conservation agreements. The...

Costa Rica Closed 2025 with 98.6 Percent Renewable Electricity Generation

Costa Rica generated 98.6 percent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025, marking a strong rebound from the previous year's challenges. The Instituto...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica