26th Time Lucky? Cuba Appeals to U.N. against U.S. Embargo
On November first, at the United Nations General Assembly, the Cuban Government will yet again table a resolution entitled, “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” The embargo by the U.S. goes back almost sixty years; Cuba says the embargo is causing the obstruction of economic development on the island. U.S. President Barack Obama lifted certain restrictions as a first step but did not end the embargo. Then in June of this year, President Donald Trump tightened the noose on Cuba. Today, Cuban Ambassador to Belize, Lissette Perez Perez, says that the embargo has affected travel and trade and has cost the Cuban government eight hundred and twenty-two billion dollars.
Lissette Perez Perez
Lissette Perez Perez, Cuban Ambassador to Belize
“It will be next November first and this is the twenty-sixth time that Cuba presents in the United Nation this resolution, but it is very important for Cuba. Last year, Cuba obtained one hundred and ninety-one votes in favor of our resolution, which means that majority of the international community is with us, in our battle to unblock Cuba. And that is our message this year to the world; unblock Cuba because all of the voices of the people, of the association, of the country are welcomed in our battle. Our people are suffering because of the blockade. The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of United States is being tightened and is fully implemented. This policy continues to be the only obstacle to the development of the Cuba economy and the full enjoyment of all human rights by the Cuban people. The measures aim and tighten the blockade announced by the administration of President Donald Trump on June sixteenth 2017 will affect and harm not only the Cuban people, but also the citizens and entities of United States whose possibility of doing business with private individuals and companies in Cuba and exercise their constitutional right to free travel will be even more restricted. There is still fear among the banking sector of the United States and other countries to operate with Cuba even after the island was authorized to use American dollar in its international financial transactions.”
Ambassador Perez Perez says that the blockade is the longest standing unilateral sanction ever imposed against any country.
