U.S. blockade hinders conservation of documents in Cuba

HOLGUÍN, Cuba, Jan 25 (ACN) The U.S. blockade of Cuba tampers with document conservation in the province of Holguin because it prevents the purchase of the necessary raw materials, including the fine-weight tissue paper for lamination, the acetate for binding, and computer equipment, to name just a few, said Surema Gutierrez, a specialist of the Provincial Historical Archive.

Despite the implementation of alternative solutions, such as the use of cardboard, the lack of these special materials threatens the preservation of notarial protocols and files from before the 19th century which are highly valuable for research in the institution.

This U.S. policy causes millions of dollars in losses every year inasmuch as it imposes restrictions on Cuba to get consumables, spare parts, technologies, etc., as well as on the country’s access to research in fields like health care, construction, education and industry, among others.