MEPs demand end of U.S. blockade of Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 24 (ACN) Following the recent collapse of the power grid and the impact of Hurricane Oscar on eastern Cuba, 31 members of the European Parliament from 12 countries signed a letter of solidarity with the island stating their solidarity with the Cuban people and their opposition to the U.S. blockade, “a policy repeatedly rejected by the international community (…) and an act of political aggression in clear violation of international law”, they wrote.

Their letter underlines the extraordinary challenges facing Cuba in terms of energy and climate, made worse by the said 60-plus years old U.S. Cuba policy, and recognizes the huge efforts made by the Cuban people to cope with the effects of a measure that stifles the national economy and prevents the access to fuel, technology and essential resources to improve the energy infrastructure.

Likewise, the MEPs level fierce criticism at the inclusion of Cuba in the list of State sponsors of terrorism and its consequences to the island's finances and chances at international cooperation and demand the end of the blockade and the removal of Cuba from this list "in the name of justice, truth and international solidarity, since only then will Cuba be able to fully exercise its sovereign right to development in conditions of peace".

The letter of solidarity comes at a crucial moment, just days before the UN General Assembly votes again on October 29 and 30 on the Cuban resolution condemning the blockade, historically condemned by almost all Member States.