By María Josefina Arce
While the United States persists in its subversive actions against Cuba and continues to allocate millions of dollars for that purpose, solidarity with the Cuban people, victim of a genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade, is growing and remains active in the U.S. territory itself.
In the last few days, a campaign was launched in the United States to send food to the Antillean nation. Within hours of the announcement, some 600 donations had already been made.
Manolo de los Santos, executive director of the organization The People's Forum, based in New York City, assured that this is a sign of the solidarity feeling of the American people with the Cuban people.
The truth is that, although some try to deny it, Cuba is hindered in the acquisition of food products by the economic siege and its inclusion in the unilateral list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
Although there are internal deficiencies and obstacles, pointed out by the authorities, the U.S. blockade is a reality that affects and exerts pressure on the food security of Cubans. There are plenty of examples in this regard
To cite just one, last year five foreign banks, without prior notice, refused to process transactions related to the purchase of food, which generated delays of between 40 and 105 days in the shipment of products destined for the people.
Only between March 2022 and February last year, the effects on the Cuban agricultural sector due to the unilateral measure amounted to more than 273 million dollars.
The U.S. blockade also deprives the national industry of financing to import the necessary inputs for food production.
It is a complex context, which is also affected by high international prices and the country's impossibility of accessing international financial organizations.
And in the midst of this hateful discourse, international solidarity and, specifically, that of many U.S. citizens, state authorities and legislators, is rising.
In fact, it was learned that a new letter was sent to U.S. President Joe Biden, asking him to fulfill his promise to change the hostile U.S. policy against Cuba that affects Cuban families.
These initiatives are clear evidence of the rejection generated by the economic siege, and are added to the many that have already taken place and are taking place in the United States, such as the Caravans of solidarity with Cuba, which take place the last weekend of each month and have spread to other latitudes.
It is a clear message to the United States that Cuba is not alone and that the international community and a large part of U.S. society condemns the genocidal blockade imposed for more than six decades against the Cuban people.
