Havana, Sep 23 (RHC) The city council of the city of Somerville, Massachusetts urged Congress to eliminate aspects of the blockade imposed on Cuba, a demand made by other U.S. cities.

In a recent resolution, the City Council points out that for more than 60 years Washington has imposed an economic, commercial, and financial siege on the island, causing daily difficulties for the Cuban people and punishing all the countries that have relations with the Caribbean nation.

The document emphasizes that the coercive measure creates shortages of food, medicines, and basic supplies, and even prevents Havana from obtaining vital equipment.

In addition to the considerable damage from an economic point of view, the blockade also has "a negative impact on the social, political and legal rights of Cubans", the text stresses.

Likewise, it mentions the setbacks in the ties between both countries during the administration of Republican Donald Trump (2017-2021), while advocating for the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a legacy of the former president's administration.

The resolution also calls on President Joseph Biden to end travel restrictions for Americans to Cuba and for citizens of the island to that North American country.

In turn, Somerville supports ongoing and future efforts by Tufts University and local industry to seek collaborations and exchanges with their Cuban counterparts.

According to José Oro, a member of the board of directors of the Global Anti-Blockade Movement (NEMO), solidarity groups, pacifists, anti-racism activists, and environmental activists contributed to the signing of the resolution. (Source: PL)