Cuba calls for lifting of US embargo

CUBA is pushing for yet another resolution in the UN General Assembly (UNGA), calling for the lifting of the US embargo against the country. Cuba has seen losses of more than $138 billion (R2 trillion) in the six decades that the policy has been applied.

This happens as the Trump administration is tightening the embargo against Cuba after its failed bid to amend the draft resolution at the world body last November. In its efforts to reverse moves made by former president Barack Obama in 2016, the US is targeting travel, oil shipments, thirdparty business and remittances.

Yesterday, deputy head of mission at the Cuban Embassy in South Africa Rebeca Hernández said a new draft resolution would be considered on November 6 and 7.

Hernández said the draft resolution had been circulated to the member states.“It is the same resolution we presented last year.”

Last November, UNGA adopted a resolution that was voted for by 167 countries, and against by three, with three countries abstaining.

The latest draft resolution, seen by Independent Media, again motivates for the ending of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba.

The draft notes UNGA’s concern about the adverse effects of US measures on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries. It calls on all states to refrain from applying laws and measures that affect the sovereignty of other states, the legitimate interests of entities or persons under their jurisdiction, and the freedom of trade and navigation.

According to Fernández, Cuba has also submitted a report to UNGA on the repercussions of the US embargo. “Every year, whenever the UNGA has to consider the resolution, we need to submit a report on the current situation and new developments.”

She said the latest sanctions had seen companies stopped from shipping oil to Cuba.

The report said the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba for close to six decades was the most unfair, severe and prolonged system of unilateral sanctions ever applied against any country. It described the blockade as an act of unilateral aggression and a permanent threat against the stability of Cuba.

The report said from April 2018 to March 2019, the blockade caused losses for Cuba amounting to more than $4.3bn. UNGA has to date adopted 27 resolutions aimed at ending the US embargo against Cuba. “Cuba and its people trust in continuing to have the support of the international community in the legitimate claim to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the US.”

Hernández noted that the resolutions taken over the years were not legally binding to member states, but were more of a political statement. South African organisations such as the ANC, the SACP and affiliated unions have condemned the US blockade. Speaking at UNGA last month, Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Naledi Pandor reiterated South Africa’s solidarity with Cuba.