Raúl’s attendance at UN General Assembly confirmed
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirms President Raúl Castro’s plans to travel to United Nations headquarters in New York, during a press conference in Havana, while also addressing other issues

Author: Laura Bécquer Paseiro | laura@granma.cu
september 16, 2015 15:09:07

Photo: Yaimí Ravelo
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced today in a press conference that Cuban President Raúl Castro will participate in the United Nations General Assembly sessions and high level discussion, on September 25 and 28, respectively.
During his stay in New York, the Army General and President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers will additionally attend a conference on the empowerment of women, and hold meetings with sectors of U.S. society and representatives of the solidarity with Cuba movement, Rodríguez said.
He also reported that the General Assembly sessions this year will be focused on the post-2015 development agenda, and are taking place within the context of the United Nations’ 70th anniversary.
On another issue, Rodríguez described Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba as an “extraordinary event,” emphasizing, “Cuba will welcome Francis with respect and solidarity.”
He highlighted the role played by the Pontiff in the process of reestablishing diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States.
During the press conference, which took place at the Foreign Ministry, Rodríguez referred to the report Cuba has prepared on the need to end the blockade, to be submitted to the international community, at the UN General Assembly, October 27.
Rodríguez, said that the report this year includes two new paragraphs hailing the reestablishment of bilateral relations with the United States, and acknowledging President Barack Obama’s willingness to work for the elimination of the blockade.
Nevertheless, he noted, the hostile policy remains in place, a violation of the civil rights of both Cubans and U.S. citizens.
Rodríguez denounced the current campaign against Venezuela, a part of a crusade against progressive and left governments which have made progress in asserting their sovereignty, emphasizing that Cuba categorically rejects interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela.

President Nicolás Maduro stated that former Colombian city councilor, Julio Vélez, was among the masterminds behind the assassination of the chavista Deputy Robert Serra (pictured) and his assistant María Herrera.

Photo: www.telesurtv.net Photo: TELESUR
CARACAS.-The capture of Julio Vélez, former city councilor of Cúcuta (Colombia) on June 3, marked an important step forwards for the Venezuelan government in its investigation into paramilitaries operating in the country and their plans for internal destabilization.
Vélez was arrested on charges of having paid the group led by Leiver Padilla that assassinated the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Deputy Robert Serra and his assistant María Herrera on October 1, 2014.
According to the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, all of those detained in relation to the case up until now have pointed to the former councilor as one of the masterminds behind the crime.
Beyond the homicide, Vélez could be key to the Venezuelan authorities in their accusations against former Colombian president, Álvaro Uribe, whom they consider one of the chief promoters of the violence undertaken by paramilitaries against Venezuela.
According to Maduro and other senior officials, Vélez previously acted as Uribe’s right-hand man on the border with Venezuela, an area plagued by contraband and illegal immigration.
This situation can not be separated from the phenomenon of the infiltration of paid criminals in Venezuela, whose objective is to attack the government through targeted killings of political leaders and internal destabilization, according to authorities.
The investigators in Caracas believe the captured former councilor could provide evidence regarding the direct links between Uribe and groups paid to wreak havoc across the country.
Speaking of some of the links between the Colombian detainee and Uribe, Maduro noted that the ex president’s lawyer, Jaime Granados, personally assumed the defense of Vélez in 2010, when he was accused of killing his wife.

The moment Julio Vélez, former city councilor for Cúcuta, Colombia, was detained in Venezuela.

Foto: www.telesurtv.net Photo: TELESUR
Granados is recognized as a lawyer for those linked to Uribe, the Venezuelan President added.
Meanwhile, at the time of his capture, Vélez owned the Meka Cambio company, used for money laundering and currency speculation of the bolívar (Venezuelan money), in order to weaken it, according to press reports.
These activities are among those identified by Venezuela as part of the economic war it is undergoing, generating increasing discontent among the population.
The investigations relating to Vélez are now aimed at establishing who acted as he accomplices in the country, Maduro explained.
With this determination, the President demonstrated his commitment to the promise made to his compatriots of ensuring those guilty of promoting acts of violence in the streets are dealt with at the highest levels.
Another of Maduro’s pledges in relation to this case is to bring all those involved in the assassination of Serra, the youngest deputy in the history of the National Assembly, to justice.

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Casa de Las Américas
Representativas from Casa de Las Américas
will be interviewed on the new Cuban reality
today 1/16/2015, 6:00pm, Univision Channel 41.

Casa de Las Américas
Representantes de Casa de Las Américas
Serán entrevistados hoy 16/1/2015
sobre la nueva realidad Cuban
esta tarde 6:00pm  por Univision Canal 41.