The New York-based airline today announced the addition of a second charter flight from John F. Kennedy worldwide Airport in New York to Havana, Cuba, with an eye on the time when commercial flights to the island will be approved after the Obama administration restored diplomatic relations with Cuba earlier this year.
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In a forceful and pointed speech that often took aim at the United States without specifically naming it, Castro – in a rare moment in the spotlight before Americans watching him on TV or online – assailed “imperialism and colonizers” that, in his words, do not respect some nations’ sovereignty.
But Castro made it very clear on Monday that he has no intention of lavishing gratitude on the United States.
In his speech, Castro said he will continue to ask the General Assembly to adopt a resolution that calls for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. He didn’t name names, but his allusions to the United States and its allies were clear as he criticized invasions and overthrows, the “selective and discriminatory” approach to human rights, and the threat of climate change stemming from “an irrational and unsustainable consumerism”.
UN diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Washington is considering abstaining from the UN vote on the resolution, provided the draft text is amended from previous years to tone down the criticism of the United States.
“Venezuela will always be able to rely on the solidarity and support of Cuba”, Castro declared.
“Syrian people are capable of resolving their disputes by themselves, and we demand the end of external influence in that country”, he said.
Cuban President Raul Castro (L) attends the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at t …
“The wars of aggression and intervention of countries’ affairs have been persistent”, Castro said.
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Castro stuck closely to Cuba’s standard foreign policy, demanding that the United States end its economic embargo and close its naval base at Guantanamo Bay as well as the cease radio and television broadcasts into Cuba.
