Cuba’s foreign minister on Thursday thanked Colombia for its support, while blaming the U.S. for its exclusion from the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena next month.
“I wish to thank the management of Colombia, for which Cuba wishes and always wants the best,” said Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at a press conference.
Rodriguez added that the U.S. position “offends the dignity” of Latin Americans.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was in Cuba the day before where he announced that Cuba will not be present at the summit which will take place on April 14 and 15 in the Carribean coastal city of Cartagena.
Cuba has been the only country in the region not present at the Summit of the Americas since they began in 1994, due largely to American opposition. According to the U.S., Cuba does not qualify as a democratic country and should not be included in the summit.
The Countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for Latin America, which includes Ecuador, have threatened to boycott the summit if Cuba is not present though it is not yet clear if they will follow through with this threat.
After speaking with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said “We would love to be at the Summit of the Americas, but we have to analyze it too deeply.”
Santos assured the public that Cuban participation would be a subject of discussion at the summit meeting.
