On Tuesday October 28, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “The Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” with the support of 188 of its 193 members.
Juan Carlos Mendoza, Costa Rica’s representative to the UN spoke for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) calling for an end to the blockade.
On the twenty-third consecutive occasion, the main forum of this international body categorically demanded the lifting of the blockade enforced by Washington for over half a century, which has resulted in economic damages estimated at almost $1.16 trillion dollars and incalculable human suffering.
The United States and Israel did not back the resolution, while the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau abstained.
Intergovernmental bodies and representatives from various countries supported Cuba in the General Assembly and condemned the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States for over half a century.
On behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Iranian Ambassador Javad Sharif stated that the U.S. blockade is the principal obstacle to Cuba’s development, and described it as unjustifiable.
Similarly, Bolivian Ambassador Sacha Llorente, representing the Group of 77 plus China, declared that the blockade represents a “threat to humanity” and a “blatant violation of the principles contained within the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
“Human lives are threatened and public health care is undermined by the blockade, as well as education, culture, sports, finances, banking, international trade, foreign investment”, he added.
The Ambassador for Costa Rica, Juan Carlos Mendoza, on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), called for complete respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of Cuba.
He described the blockade imposed since the last century as severe, and reiterated that it has caused huge economic losses.
Carlos Felipe Martínez, for Argentina, in representation of the member states of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), stated that the blockade is “morally unjustifiable” and the measures imposed “have no place in today’s world.”
The UN Permanent Representative for Russia, Vitali Churkin, also reaffirmed his country’s rejection of any punitive discriminatory measure, used as an instrument of interference in the internal affairs of states.
Samuel Moncada, Ambassador for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, condemned the attacks on third parties for having links with Cuba, as a result of the blockade and other measures such as the Helms-Burton Act. Venezuela also rejected U.S harassment of other Cuban bodies, including those on the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, which for over a year has been deprived of financial services.
On behalf of the European Union, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Inigo Lambertini, noted that “the effects of extraterritorial legislation and unilateral administrative and judicial measures” on the part of the United States against Cuba “have negative effects on the interests of the Union.”
“We cannot accept that the measures unilaterally imposed impede our trade relations with Cuba,” the diplomat said, after stating that a lifting of the embargo (blockade) “could facilitate the opening up of the Cuban economy for the benefit of the population.”
Representatives from Mexico, India, Algeria, Vietnam, China, Belarus, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and Zimbabwe also spoke in support of Cuba and against the U.S blockade.
Many of these delegations commended Cuba for sending more doctors than any other country to West Africa to contain the largest outbreak of Ebola since the disease was discovered in 1976.
WORN OUT ARGUMENTS
Representing the United States, Ambassador Ronald Godard once again repeated the same arguments that his country has used to justify its policy of aggression towards the island before the General Assembly for more than two decades.
He attempted to demonstrate that remittances Cubans receive from their families constitute a form of aid on the part of the U.S. government, when in fact the blockade prohibits any assistance to the country.
He also blamed the Cuban government for the limited access and connectivity to the Internet, but failed to mention that authorities in his country prohibit Cuba from connecting to the many fiber optic cables which surround the island, at the same time as they prevent the country from acquiring software and equipment, and deny Cubans access to numerous websites.
His words were far removed from those published by the press from his very own country, which in their editorials increasingly question the blockade policy, as well as statements made by senior officials of his own government who recognize the need for change.
The U.S. representative’s intervention was not deserving of a reply, especially when the Permanent Representative for Nicaragua, Maria Rubiales, who spoke immediately afterwards, completely undermined his arguments.
“Once again they intend to mislead this Assembly with their worn out arguments which no longer convince anyone, a reflection of these obstinate and obsolete policies, of imperial arrogance and egoism,” she said.
“Hopefully the U.S. will decide to rectify its policies and bring an end to its self-isolation, we invite the country to join us and accompany the international community in order to put an end to the past and build a future of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect,” she concluded.