Cuban Ambassador to United Nations Tours Connecticut

 A big Connecticut welcome was extended to the Cuban ambassador to the United Nations Mr. Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, along with three other members of the Cuban mission on Sept 9-10..

The visit was historic because the State Department designates Cuba as a terrorist state and their representatives are not permitted to leave Manhattan. However, after both the Hartford and New Haven city councils voted to call upon the federal government end the blockade against Cuba for the benefit of both nations, an invitation from State Rep. Edwin Vargas allowed the trip to take place.

Visits were held at Quinnipiac University, at the Hartford City Council, in Middletown and Willimantic, and finally in New Haven for a lecture at the New Haven Free Public Library.

The program room at the Library was packed as the audience eagerly listened and enjoyed a lecture by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta The event was co-sponsored with the New Haven Free Public Library by the City of New Haven Peace Commission, Unidad Latina en Accion, New Haven Peoples Center, Greater New Haven Peace Council

Pedroso Cuesta explained to the crowd the problems the Cuban people are facing due to the US blockade for over 60 years, and how deeply it affects the Cuban people. The need to remove Cuba from the terrorism list was also raised.

In response to questions from the floor, the Ambassador called for building strong relationships between our peoples and consideration of sister cities. When a student asked what young people could do, the Ambassador suggested that reaching out to Connecticut youth to visit Cuba for educational opportunities. He said that despite not having lived through the revolution, young people are supportive of the socialist government.

The lecture ended with a sincere gratitude for the Hartford and New Haven cities and their representatives for their support to stand in solidarity to end the blockade..

The visit ended with a lovely dinner held at the New Haven Peoples Center, where the Cuban Ambassadors were greeted with gifts and solidarity from the intimate group of people. Included were photos of Fidel Castro in 1959 at New Haven's Union Station on a stopover from New York to Boston.