In statements to Prensa Latina News Agency, Ms. Ortman -professor at the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos- addressed this issue on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the officialization of the US blockade against Cuba and drew attention to the high and harmful cost it means for Cuba.

“As an act of solidarity with the Cuban people, we call for the lifting of the US blockade,” she said.

She noted that such a hostile policy towards Cuba began in 1959, but it became official under the President John F. Kennedy administration with the signing of an executive order.

Ms. Ortman pointed out the US blockade is the longest in history and it is so hard to believe why the United States does not lift it, since it maintains commercial relations with China and Vietnam, two of its old enemies.

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