San Juan, October 19 (RHC)-- The Vice President of Puerto Rico's International Book Fair, Poet Dalia Nieves Albert, denounced that the U.S. blockade against Cuba hinders cultural exchanges between Puerto Rico and Cuba.

In statements to Prensa Latina news agency, Nieves Albert regretted that Cuban writer Ricardo Oropesa Fernández could not attend the 18th edition of the Puerto Rican book fair because he was denied an entry visa by the U.S. government.

The Puerto Rican intellectual pointed out that there cannot be normalized US-Cuba relations as long as the blockade policy remains in place and stressed that the Puerto Rican people are also suffering the consequences of Washington's cruel Cuba policy.

During the 18th International Book Fair of Puerto Rico, which concluded Sunday in San Juan, Cuban writer Ricardo Oropesa was granted the event's Grand Prix this year, which was given instead to his daughter, Elizabeth Oropesa Lima.