Andean Parliament calls for end to US blockade of Cuba

Bogota, 30 October (RHC) The Andean Parliament, the deliberative, consultative and political control body of the Andean Community, today added its voice to hundreds of demands from around the world calling for an end to the US blockade against Cuba.

In a statement issued in this capital, the organization also called on the Washington government to remove the island from the unilateral list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, considering it a false accusation and one of the reasons for maintaining the unjust economic, commercial and financial siege.

It recognized that the coercive measures imposed for more than 60 years seriously restrict the sovereignty of the Antillean nation and constitute the main obstacle to the exercise of its right to development and the full enjoyment of human rights by its citizens.

Parliament also stressed that, since 1992, this hostile policy towards the Cuban people has been condemned by the vast majority of Member States on more than 30 consecutive occasions at the annual sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

The text also points out that during the 56th ordinary session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a joint statement was made on behalf of 123 countries, in which they called on the United States government to remove Cuba from the list of countries presumed to be sponsors of terrorism.

On the other hand, it pointed out that the cumulative damage caused by the blockade for more than six decades and until 2024 will amount to the astronomical sum of 164,141 million dollars at current prices.

The organization also explained how the unilateral siege prevented the government from obtaining medicines to treat the population during the global pandemic of 19 April, which was the main obstacle to the subsequent recovery of the Cuban economy.

In its declaration of solidarity with the island, the Andean Parliament stated that Cuba's energy problems were also due to restrictions on the acquisition of technology and spare parts for the maintenance of its thermal power plants.