MASERU, LESOTHO — The Basotho Action Party (BAP) has issued a strongly worded statement declaring solidarity with the people of Cuba and condemning recent actions by the United States government, which it says threaten Cuba’s sovereignty and humanitarian wellbeing.
In a press statement released on 24 February 2026 in Maseru, the party accused US President Donald Trump of escalating hostilities against Cuba following a 29 January 2026 executive order designating the Caribbean nation as a threat to US national security.
According to the BAP, the executive order forms part of a broader effort to impose economic pressure on Cuba by restricting fuel and other critical supplies.
“The Trump Administration is hell bent on imposing its will on the People of Cuba, denying them the Right to Self-Determination,” the statement reads.
The party described the sanctions as a continuation of decades-long economic measures imposed by successive US administrations. According to the United States embargo against Cuba, the restrictions date back to 1960 and remain one of the longest-running sanctions regimes in modern history.
BAP characterised the sanctions as a “blockade” that threatens vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and the sick, by limiting access to essential medical supplies and services.
BAP invokes historical ties between Cuba and Africa
In its statement, the Basotho Action Party highlighted Cuba’s historical military and humanitarian involvement in Africa, particularly its role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola.
The battle is widely regarded by historians as a turning point in weakening apartheid South Africa’s military influence in the region and accelerating Namibia’s independence.
The BAP said Cuba’s involvement contributed to the eventual independence of Namibia and the end of apartheid in South Africa.
The party also praised Cuba’s international medical missions, noting that Cuban doctors have served in Lesotho’s hospitals. Cuba’s global medical diplomacy is well documented, with thousands of doctors deployed worldwide under the Cuban medical international missions programme.
Emphasis on solidarity and international cooperation
The Basotho Action Party said Cuba’s support for African nations, including Lesotho, created a moral obligation for African countries to reciprocate solidarity.
“History would judge us harshly if we were to forget how Cuba embraced the struggles for independence of oppressed peoples the world over, especially here in Southern Africa,” the statement said.
The party concluded by calling on the international community to oppose what it termed US aggression and urged global movements to support Cuba.
“BAP extends its solidarity to the Cuban People and adds its voice to those calling for HANDS OFF CUBA,” the statement said.
Political and diplomatic implications for Lesotho
The statement positions the Basotho Action Party firmly within a political tradition in Southern Africa that recognises Cuba’s historical support during liberation struggles.
Lesotho maintains diplomatic relations with both Cuba and the United States. The United States remains one of Lesotho’s major development partners through programmes such as PEPFAR and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
However, Cuba continues to maintain influence through medical cooperation and education scholarships.
While the Basotho Action Party is an opposition political party and does not represent official government policy, its statement reflects ongoing global debate over US-Cuba relations.
