World voices back Cuba's fight against the blockade

United Nations, Nov 3 (RHC) Around fifty countries and multilateral organizations from around the world unanimously supported the draft resolution to lift the U.S. blockade against Cuba, which will be put to a vote here today for the thirtieth time.

During the first day of debates, as part of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the government representatives rejected Washington's hostile policy towards the Caribbean nation and demanded an end to the punitive measures that have been affecting the Cuban people for more than 60 years.

On behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, María del Carmen Squeff, permanent representative of Argentina, stated that the blockade is the greatest obstacle to the normal development of Cuba and is contrary to international law, the United Nations Charter, and the proclamation of the region as a zone of peace adopted by the regional grouping.

Likewise, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations urged the White House to immediately lift the blockade that affects the welfare, health, and development prospects of the Cuban people.

In the same vein, the Non-Aligned Movement expressed that the extraterritorial measures prevent the Cuban people from enjoying their human rights and, in particular, the guarantees for development.

Meanwhile, the Group of 77+China denounced the debilitating effect of the financial, economic, and commercial blockade imposed against the largest of the Antilles.

Likewise, several representatives condemned the inclusion of Cuba on the list of alleged State sponsors of terrorism and insisted on how the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, together with the lifting of the blockade, would have a positive impact on peace in the hemisphere.

On the other hand, speakers from African countries exalted the historical relations of brotherhood and solidarity that unite the Caribbean Island with the African continent, for which they ratified their vote in support of the resolution.

Likewise, countries such as Mexico and China expressed their full support and urged the United States to immediately lift the hostile siege and develop normal relations with Cuba by international standards.

Opposition to the blockade has been practically universal since 1992 when the resolution on the need to put an end to the coercive measure was presented for the first time before the General Assembly, and in the 29 previous editions, it received the support of the majority of nations.

In the last UN vote on the proposal, on June 23, 2021, 184 countries (out of 193) were in favor of the elimination of the siege, while three (Colombia, Brazil, and Ukraine) abstained and only two (the United States and Israel) ratified their opposition.

During this day, Cuba will present for the thirtieth time, the report before the UNGA on the need to eliminate the blockade that the United States has maintained for more than 60 years against Cuba.

When presenting the impact of the blockade on the island, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez recently denounced that the losses amounted to three thousand 806 million dollars between August 2021 and February 2022. (Source: PL)