PM says US blockade on Cuba “brutal”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley rallied against the United States blockade on Cuba, calling it “callous and brutal”, as she delivered a speech at the summit of the G77 group of emerging economies plus China, on Friday.

She is among leaders of developing countries attending the meeting in Cuba, which is taking place just a few days ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mottley also called Cuba a beacon among developing nations in innovation through science and technology.

“With little, you have done much,” she said.

The Barbadian leader also warned that science and technology should not be allowed to run amok and that accountability and transparency are needed so that democracy does not unravel.

As he kicked off the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for nations to build a world that is more fair for developing countries.

He said that while many of the countries of the G77 have helped lift millions of people from poverty, they still face a lot of crises, including hunger, inflation, climate disasters and debt, and they haven’t gotten enough help.

“The conclusion is clear: The world is failing developing countries,” Guterres said.

(AP/BT)