Cuba denounces application of the U.S. blockade in Argentina

 HAVANA, Cuba, May 1 (ACN) The refusal of the Argentine company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales S.A. (YPF) to continue supplying fuel to Cubana de Aviación aircrafts is a clear demonstration, not only of the application of the genocidal U.S. blockade against Cuba, but also of its extraterritorial nature, denounced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement, published on the ministry's website, stresses that, by complying with the US policy against Cuba, YPF Argentina is contravening the rules of international trade and flagrantly violating its national legislation.

The text specifies that Article 1 of Law No. 24,871 of that country states that “foreign laws that seek to generate extraterritorial effects through the imposition of an economic blockade, the limitation of investments in a certain country, or the restriction of the circulation of persons, goods, services or capital, with the purpose of provoking a change in the form of government of a country, or to affect its right to self-determination, will be absolutely inapplicable and without legal effect”.

As a result of the application of this measure, the Cuban airline has been forced to suspend regular flights between the island and Argentina, which had been maintained for 39 years.

The Foreign Ministry stresses that the breach of contract by the Argentine company, in addition to causing damages to Cubana de Aviación, will harm Argentine citizens themselves and other travelers, including those who had purchased airline tickets to and from Cuba.

The application of anachronistic and absurd restrictions to a Cuban company is a tangible fact that demonstrates the devastating effects of the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, the statement affirms.

It also points out that Cubana de Aviación has suffered millions of dollars in losses over the years due to Washington's extraterritorial policy, which has led to the cancellation of aircraft leases, the closing of bank accounts and commercial operations, and the impossibility of accessing loans from international banks to maintain and repair its fleet, a common practice for the rest of the world's

The Cuban airline, it adds, is also unable to buy aircraft due to the impact of the measure that prevents Cuba from accessing means and equipment containing more than 10 percent of components of U.S. origin, which also affects domestic air transportation.

Cuba will continue to denounce the cases of extraterritorial application of the blockade and demand an end to this illegal policy, which constitutes a flagrant violation of International Law and is overwhelmingly rejected by the international community, concludes the Declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,