In statements to Prensa Latina, the former mayor and socialist leader expressed concern about the situation in Cuba’s western province, where a lightning struck one of the fuel tanks in the industrial zone, unleashing explosions and a fire that is still out of control.

This is a strong blow in the already difficult context that Cuba is going through due to known difficulties, said Bel, who was also the envoy of President François Hollande from 2015 to 2017 for Latin America and who recalled that Cuba has suffered the consequences of the economic, financial and commercial imposed by the United States for over six decades.

According to Bel, Washington should end the discriminatory measures imposed on Cuba in order to facilitate aid to Matanzas and the country in general.

The blockade generates many hardships for the Cuban people, and I think that the United States should be aware of what it means to try to render a people that wants to live in peace and normal conditions out of hunger and poverty, he stressed.

In his statement, Bel called for international solidarity with the Cuba and ratified his support and solidarity at these difficult times.

jg/ro/wmr