Uganda has joined 19 other nations in the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter to strongly condemn the re-inclusion of Cuba in the U.S. State Department’s unilateral list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism. The statement was delivered during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where the group denounced Cuba’s listing as arbitrary, illegal, and politically motivated.
In a joint statement, endorsed by Uganda and nations including China, Russia, Venezuela, and Algeria, the countries pledged solidarity with the Cuban people and government. It called on the United States to immediately and unconditionally remove Cuba from the list and lift the decades-long economic blockade, which has been widely criticized for its humanitarian impact.
“This unjust listing only serves to tighten the economic stranglehold on Cuba, hindering financial and commercial operations and exacerbating shortages among its people,” the group declared, adding that the blockade and sanctions violate Cuba’s human rights.
Before leaving office, President Joe Biden removed Cuba from the list, however, the new Washington administration added the island nation back drawing criticism from across the globe especially in Africa where Cuba enjoys massive support.
Several UN Special Rapporteurs and independent human rights experts have previously condemned both the blockade and the terror listing, highlighting their detrimental effects on Cuba’s economy and social welfare. The Group of Friends reiterated that the UN General Assembly has, for 32 consecutive years, passed resolutions urging the U.S. to end the embargo—a call Washington has ignored.
Uganda’s participation in the condemnation is part of its historical stance against unilateral coercive measures and its broader foreign policy advocating for multilateralism, sovereignty, and non-interference in the affairs of sovereign nations.
Last year, Kampala and Havana marked fifty years of diplomatic relations.
The inclusion of Cuba on the U.S. terror list has faced growing international criticism, with many viewing it as a political tool rather than a legitimate security measure. The Group of Friends also rejected what they called the “political manipulation of the fight against terrorism,” arguing that such actions undermine global counterterrorism efforts.
