In a speech at the General Assembly on behalf of CELAC and during the first of two days of the debate on a draft resolution to put an end to the US blockade, the representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Inga Rhonda King stated that this policy is contrary to international law.

Rhonda King added that the economic, commercial and financial blockade is also contrary to the letter, spirit, purpose and principles of the UN Charter and to the desire of the peoples for peace, while it continues to be major hurdle to Cuba´s development.

CELAC reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of measures and laws contrary to international law including the Helms-Burton Act, the extraterritorial effects and the increasing persecution of Cuba´s financial transactions, she stated. We also oppose, she said, the unjust inclusion of Cuba in the States that Sponsor Terrorism (SST) list, because in addition to lacking substance and weight, it has increased the consequences of the blockade and has worsened Cuba’s possibilities of establishing financial and commercial relations with other nations.

The diplomat urged the U.S. government to comply with the UNGA’s numerous resolutions and act in response to repeated calls from the international community to put an end to such hostile policy, and expressed CELAC’s extreme concern over the growing impact of the blockade on Cuba.

On behalf of her country, King said that she defends the principles of multilateral order defined in the UN Charter, those of sovereignty, non-interference and non- involment in the internal affairs of a State, and considered that the equal application of and adherence to these principles are essential for peaceful coexistence among nations.

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