Press Release

Secretary Gutierrez Statement on May Day in Cuba

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement regarding the news report of nearly a half a million Cuban workers gathering in the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana to participate in the traditional May Day march:

“On this day when many countries celebrate their Labor Day, it should be noted that there are no independent unions in Cuba, nor have there been any in the half century under communism. Cuba recently signed the U.N. Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, which clearly states that countries should permit the formation of independent trade unions. This is only the latest indication that nothing has fundamentally changed in Cuba: it is still a totalitarian state that oppresses its people.”

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez Co-Chairs with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, a U.S. Cabinet-level Commission formed to explore ways the U.S. can help hasten and ease a democratic transition in Cuba.