While giving the virtual conference “Genesis and evolution of the US blockade policy towards Cuba. Impact on the Cuban population”, Velásquez stated that the US blockade´s goal is to stifle Cuba´s economy and make the Cuban people surrender because of hunger and needs.
In the meeting, organized by the Casa de la Soberanía Miguel d’Escoto in Managua, Velásquez argued that the United States -with such a policy – intend to generate disorder and instability in Cuba, fracture the constitutional order and social consensus, as well as encourage irregular migration, and affect the peace and security of the Cuban people.
“Because of its declared purpose and the political, legal and administrative structure it is based on, the hostile and unjust blockade is classed as an act of genocide, by virtue of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” Velásquez explained.
She mentioned how the economic, commercial and financial blockade has been tightened with the inclusion of more than 240 additional measures imposed by former President Donald Trump.
“Since 2019, the US blockade has escalated to a more harmful and inhumane dimension, with a reinforced extraterritorial component,” she added.
In this regard, she mentioned the activation of Title III of the Helms- Burton Act, the persecution of companies, ships and shipping companies that send fuel supplies to Cuba as well as the inclusion of Cuba on the States Sponsoring Terrorism (SST) list, among other measures.
Referring to the impact of the US measure on Cuban society, the diplomat claimed that it constitutes the main obstacle for Cuba´s economic and social development.
Likewise – she added – it hinders the implementation of the national economic and social development plan and the fulfillment of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Cuba is capable of producing more than 60% of its basic list of medicines; however, these levels have not been guaranteed for months due to the impact of the blockade on the country’s ability to pay, the impossibility of accessing medical technologies with more than 10% of U.S. components,” she stressed.
Spanish writer and journalist Ramón Pedregal, on the other hand, stressed the significance of anti-imperialism, since it means having enough dignity to “confront the monster that created the blockade and threatens the world with making it disappear”.
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