Havana, October 16 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said today that the U.S. blockade of Cuba causes serious damage to the food supply of the population of the Caribbean island.

“The U.S. government insists on depriving the people of their right to food,” wrote the foreign minister on the social network X on Wednesday, precisely when World Food Day is celebrated.

“Four months of blockade are equivalent to financing to guarantee the standard family basket for one year,” added Rodríguez.

According to Cuba's top diplomat, this policy applied continuously by U.S. administration for more than six decades -- only between the years 2023 and 2024 -- “caused damages of more than 441 million dollars to the Cuban agri-food sector.”

Every October 16th, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is commemorate.  The FAO was formed in on this date in 1945, when representatives from 42 countries met in Quebec, Canada, with the goal of freeing humanity from hunger.

The date urges developed countries in particular to work to eradicate malnutrition and hunger, although according to UN reports, currently nearly 733 million citizens do not even have access to basic foodstuffs.

[ SOURCE:  PRENSA LATINA ]