Blocks of nations express in UN decisive rejection of the blockade

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 1 (ACN) A forceful and decisive rejection of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba was expressed today before the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA), by groups of countries opposed to that unilateral policy over 50 years old.

From the New York headquarters of the international body, the Salvadoran representative for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC, urged the US government to put an end to the application of this unjustified policy.

He added that the United States Congress has the authority to eliminate the blockade completely, although it has been demonstrated that the President of the northern nation can apply his executive powers to modify the regulations of this coercive measure.

The representative for El Salvador congratulated the steps taken during 2015 and 2016 by Havana and Washington in the process towards the normalization of bilateral relations, while lamenting that the illegal blockade is still a reality that hinders the normal development of Cuba.

He argued that the blockade causes substantial and unjustifiable damage to the Cuban people and is contrary to the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, in addition to the fact that the application of unilateral coercive measures does not correspond to the letter, spirit and purpose of the United Nations Magna Carta.

The representative from Gabon of the Group of African Nations also recalled that more than two decades ago the international community expressed in the General Assembly of the United Nations its majority rejection of this long-standing siege.

It is regrettable that after the improvement of relations between the United States and Cuba during the previous mandate of Barack Obama, the blockade has been strengthened recently after the change of policy towards the Island announced by the current US administration.

In his statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, the Ecuadorian representative said he regrets the new policy established by the US President, which is a step backwards to the process towards the normalization of ties between Cuba and the northern nation.
He expressed the concern of that bloc for the huge millionaire losses suffered by Cuba because of the economic siege, in addition to the humanitarian impact.

The G77 and China fear that if these sanctions continue, Cuba's development potential will be unfairly undermined and it would be impossible for that nation to successfully embark on the development agenda by 2030.

He also stressed that despite suffering the consequences of this siege, the island has lent its support to the international community, especially with medical assistance to people in need.

At the start of its intervention on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, the representative of Singapore expressed support for the draft resolution entitled "Need to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba ", which will be presented and voted on this day.