188 Countries Support End of US Blockade Against Cuba

Cuban Embassy Press Release. 188 Countries Supported In The U.N. General Assembly The End Of The US Blockade Against Cuba

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to New Zealand

Press Release

13 November 2012

International community unequivocally rejects the blockade impose by the United States of America against Cuba.

For the twenty first consecutive time Tuesday November 13th, 2012, Cuba obtained a significant victory in the United Nations General Assembly, when once again the resolution entitled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" was adopted with the almost unanimous support of UN Member States.

The resolution passed with a vote in favour of 188 countries. Only the USA, Israel and Palau voted in isolation against the text.

This result reaffirms once more the unequivocal rejection of the international community to the US blockade against Cuba and also shows its support for the just demand of the Cuban people to put an end to this illegal policy.

The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba has been maintained and further tightened despite the growing and categorical demand by the international community —in particular the United Nations General Assembly— for its elimination.

The blockade violates International Law, runs contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and constitutes a contravention of a sovereign state’s right to peace, development and security. In its essence and objectives, the blockade represents an act of unilateral aggression and a permanent threat against the stability of a nation. The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of human rights of the entire Cuban population. It also violates the constitutional rights of US citizens by denying them the freedom to travel to Cuba, and encroaches on the sovereign rights of many other states because of its extraterritorial nature.

The extra-territorial application of the blockade has been extraordinarily reinforced, as proven by the strengthening of the sanctions and persecution against third countries’ citizens, institutions and companies that establish or intend to establish economic, commercial, and financial relations with Cuba.

At the same time, the persecution of Cuba’s international financial transactions included those coming from multilateral organizations for the cooperation with the island, has been increased under the current US administration.

The blockade continues to be an absurd, illegal and morally unjustifiable policy which has not succeeded and never will succeed in undermining the Cuban people’s patriotic decision to defend its sovereignty, independence and right to self-determination. It has only succeeded in subjecting the Cuban population to shortages and needless suffering, in restricting and hindering the development of the country and in seriously damaging the Cuban economy. It is the main hindrance to Cuba’s economic and social development.

The direct economic damage to the Cuban people by the implementation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba until December 2011 based on the current prices and calculated in a very conservative way, amount to over 108 billion dollars.

The blockade policy is not only rejected by the overwhelming majority of the international community, but also is increasingly rejected within the United States. The United States must lift it immediately and unconditionally.

ENDS

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