UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted for the 22nd consecutive year, a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
By a vote of 188 in favor to two against (Israel and the United States), with three abstentions, the UNGA reiterated its call to all states to “refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures not conforming with their obligations to reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation”.
The 193-member Assembly “once again urges States that have and continue to apply such laws and measures to take the necessary steps to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible,” the text said.
In introducing the text, Cuba’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said the human damages caused by the blockade were “incalculable, with 76 per cent of Cubans living under its devastating effects since the day they were born.
“The resulting economic damages accumulated after half a century amounted to more than one trillion US dollars,” he said.
The embargo was enacted after Havana nationalized properties of United States citizens and corporations and it was strengthened to a near-total embargo on February 7, 1962.
Titled the Cuban Democracy act, the embargo was codified into law in 1993 with the stated purpose of maintaining sanctions on Cuba so long as the Cuban government continues to refuse to move toward “democratization and greater respect for human rights”.
Parrilla said the embargo was also the main obstacle to broader access to the Internet, the free circulation of persons, the exchange of ideas and the development of cultural, sport and scientific relations.
The blockade has been further tightened under President Obama’s administration, particularly in the financial sector, he said.
“Our small island poses no threat to the national security of the superpower. Then, why can’t Americans have access to first quality Cuban products or Cuban last generation medicines? Why are their business people losing opportunities?”
Cuba aimed to move towards normalization of bilateral relations and was willing to establish a serious, constructive dialogue on an equal footing and with full respect for its independence.
Speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community, St Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the UN, Delano F. Bart, lamented the fact that for 53 years the Cubans have “endured severe economic loss and stagnation.
“Despite the repeated calls from the international community, the embargo against Cuba continues and is actually becoming more and more acute. Cuba’s safety and pace of recovery are compromised by the embargo’s many direct and indirect effects.
“When viewed in the light of the generosity and selfless assistance that Cuba has kindly accorded to other States in time of need, the unilateral application of the embargo against the country is especially ill-conceived,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Bart said Cuba remains a key regional and international partner and actor.
