Havana’s secret summit: the UN’s surprise move in the geopolitical chessboard!

The sun-drenched avenues of Havana witnessed a political ballet of immense consequence, as Antonio Guterres, the UN’s astute Portuguese Secretary-General, engaged in a subtle dance with the enigmatic Cuban regime. It was a choreography that many hadn’t anticipated, set against the backdrop of the G-77+China summit — a gathering whispered by many as the overture to the United Nations General Assembly’s main act in New York. The performance’s opening note? An expected appearance by the renowned political maestro, Lula.

Yet, beneath Havana’s vibrant facades and the rhythmic cadence of Cuban beats, there brewed a more complex rhythm. The Cuban regime, in a move that many saw as both audacious and predictable, detained several Cuban democrats. As this unfolded, anti-imperialist sentiments resonated through the chambers, creating a counter-melody, intensified by the presence of China — a giant with its own neo-imperial tune.

But the G-77’s symphony isn’t a simple one. Renowned in international circles, it’s a nuanced piece designed for dialogue and cooperation, with the UN’s seal of approval. Standing tall beside the world’s elite groups like the G-7 and G-20, the G-77 orchestrates the ambitions of 134 nations. From the bustling markets of Latin America, the vast savannahs of Africa, to the dense metropoles of Asia — it sings their tales. Adding China’s voice, this ensemble hits a crescendo, echoing the aspirations of three-quarters of humanity.

Havana, more than just a stage, transformed into an epicenter of geopolitical choreography. Guterres, with his seasoned diplomatic finesse, engaged with stalwarts such as Raúl Castro and Venezuela’s fiery leader, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro, with the gravity of the Bolivarian Republic’s challenges weighing on him, sought an alliance, hinting at external pressures that constrained his nation. A shared refrain emerged too: a heartfelt lament against the U.S.’s enduring embargo on Cuba. This sentiment, a consistent bassline throughout, found allies in many, each decrying Cuba’s perceived economic shackling.

Lula, ever the virtuoso, added his own motifs. He underscored Brazil’s clear aversion to any unilateral, coercive measures and hinted at Cuba’s contentious position on an internationally infamous “list”. Xiomara Castro, Honduras’s fiery frontwoman, added depth with a scathing remark linking the U.S. embargo on Cuba to historical atrocities. But Lula’s crescendo was a clarion call to the affluent north: acknowledge the burgeoning south and financially empower the developing world. In doing so, he invoked the potential of these nations to pioneer breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation.

In the final act, Guterres took center stage. With a vision for a future chorus championing multilateralism, he beckoned the nations to harness their collective strength. His dream? A harmonious world, where nations collaboratively craft a system rooted in equality and shared prosperity.