Network of Social Organizations Demands End of U.S. Blockade of Cuba

The Network of Organizations for Development Effectiveness in Latin America and the Caribbean demanded an end to the U.S. blockade that causes so much harm today to the Cuban population.

In a statement delivered to this agency by its Guatemala chapter, the alliance stressed that on the upcoming October 27 and 28 the United Nations General Assembly will again vote on the draft resolution linked to that arbitrary measure.

It recalled that the proposal is called "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" (with its first official presentation for debate in 1992).

To the siege of more than six decades is added an energy siege that intercepts ships carrying fuel, more financial sanctions that even reach the private sector, and a Washington campaign that presents Cuba as a "threat" to its security, it described.

It noted that the unilateral actions imposed by the United States from an economic, commercial, and financial standpoint have a devastating effect on the economy, society, and families of the Caribbean nation.

It denounced that the blockade constitutes the main obstacle for Cuba to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and its national Economic and Social Development program that is articulated with the 2030 Agenda.

It expressed its rejection of the re-inclusion of the Caribbean nation on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

It also rejected the decision to impose arbitrary measures on natural and legal persons of third countries that receive collaboration from Cuba.

It recognized and thanked the solidarity cooperation developed by the island in different territories, particularly in health and education.

"Our countries benefited from these South-South cooperation programs promoted by Cuba, which it described as an example," it stressed.

For the same reason, it categorically refuted the farce that labels Cuban medical assistance as human trafficking.

The Network urged the social and democratic forces of Latin America and the Caribbean and the world to redouble solidarity with Cuba.

It exhorted all States that make up the General Assembly to vote in favor of suspending this cruel, inhuman, and illegal blockade.

This, it asserted, is leading the Cuban people to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

The social organizations that are part of the alliance also belong to Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The draft is submitted to a vote annually and uninterruptedly in the General Assembly, with 33 consecutive occasions on which it obtained the support of the overwhelming majority of member States.