Key facts
- Cuba seeks to deepen economic ties with South Korea.
- Cuban Ambassador Claudio Raul Monzon Baeza cited intensified U.S. sanctions as a reason for seeking cooperation.
- Cuba's agricultural products, biotechnology, and critical minerals could find opportunities in the South Korean market.
- South Korea and Cuba established diplomatic relations in February 2024.
- Cuba opposes nuclear weapons and calls for their complete abolition.
Cuba is seeking to strengthen its economic relationship with South Korea as it faces significant challenges due to prolonged U.S. sanctions, according to Cuban Ambassador Claudio Raul Monzon Baeza. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Baeza stated that intensified U.S. measures have created an "unprecedented offensive" impacting Cuba's economy, trade, fuel supplies, and public services.
Cuba has consistently submitted a resolution to the U.N. General Assembly calling for an end to the U.S. embargo, with a vote scheduled for October 27-28. South Korea has supported this resolution annually since 1999. The ambassador also touched upon historical U.S. actions toward Cuba and expressed hope that military conflict would be avoided.
Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Korea in February 2024, both nations are exploring avenues for cooperation in areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, critical minerals, energy, and climate change. Baeza noted that Cuba's agricultural products and critical minerals could find markets in South Korea, and that energy cooperation is a top priority. He also clarified that Cuba's bilateral relationship with Seoul is separate from its historical ties with North Korea.