April 25,2026

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo met with Ernesto Soberon Guzman, Cuba’s ambassador to the United Nations, in New York City on April 23. They agreed to firmly oppose the U.S. blatant violation of international law with its fuel embargo against Cuba and agreed to cooperate in overturning this outrageous act.

A JCP delegation led by Shii is currently visiting New York City to participate in the NPT Review Conference which begins on April 27 at the UN Headquarters. The delegation also plans to visit Canada during this trip. They are scheduled to return to Japan on May 7.

The NPT Review Conference is taking place as nuclear-armed states are waging illegal wars in violation of the UN Charter and as humanity is facing the greatest ever danger of nuclear weapons being used.

Shii requested that the ambassador do his utmost to ensure that the Conference produces a positive outcome document firmly based on the UN Charter and international law.

Article 6 of the NPT obliges nuclear-weapon-possessing states to dismantle their nuclear arsenals. However, they have so far failed to fulfill this commitment. Shii pointed out that this deeply undermines the credibility of the NPT regime.

Shii stated that it will be highly significant for this Review Conference to reaffirm the content of the final documents adopted unanimously by all State Parties at the 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences, and to commit to implementing them.

The ambassador agreed with Shii, and explained that Cuba’s position calls for the total abolition of nuclear weapons. The ambassador acknowledged that although Shii’s request is modest, it may not be met under the current circumstances. However, he promised to strive for a positive outcome document. He emphasized the need for the world’s governments to make efforts to ensure compliance with the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, given that several armed conflicts are currently ongoing.

Shii stated that the JCP criticizes the fuel embargo imposed on Cuba by the U.S. Trump administration as an outrageous act that violates the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, and is demanding its withdrawal. He then asked about the current situation on the ground in Cuba.

The ambassador replied that the Trump administration is continuing to threaten to attack Cuba. He said that Cuba is doing everything it can to find a diplomatic solution, and that Cuba will steadfastly resist any infringement of its sovereignty or independence.

The ambassador explained that as a result of the U.S. fuel embargo, very little oil has entered Cuba for four months, leading to power outages lasting 18 hours a day even in the capital city of Havana. Due to the power shortage, he said, approximately 100,000 patients, 11,000 of whom are children, are waiting on standby for surgery in the country. He criticized this as collective punishment, stating that it clearly violates international humanitarian law.

Shii declared, “The JCP stands in solidarity with the Cuban people in your fight against U.S. lawlessness,” and stated, “Trump’s numerous outrageous acts in violation of the UN Charter are greatly eroding the political and moral credibility of the United States.” He added that these acts are a manifestation of Trump’s ‘weakness’, not ‘strength’.”

Past related article:
> Shii talks with Cuban ambassador to Japan [February 17, 2026]