Eritrean Ambassador at the United Nations Sophia T. Mariam spoke at the General Assembly that for the thirty-first time will vote on Thursday on the draft resolution submitted by Cuba on the Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

On behalf of the Group of Friends of the Charter, Mariam said that the blockade against Cuba is one of the most serious, prolonged and systematic violations of international law and the UN Charter.

She explained that despite repeated requests for its elimination, the effects of this unilateral policy on the Cuban people have worsened in recent years to undermine the Revolution.

The Eritrean ambassador recalled that 30 resolutions approved at the UNGA have not been enough for its lifting, “30 years in which the message has been very clear: the Cuban people have the right to build their own future free of any interference and oppression.”

Mariam warned that each day that goes by and the blockade persists is a shame in terms of the moral authority of this organization.

“The blockade, in addition to being morally and politically unacceptable because it tries to subjugate a small country through pressure measures, transgresses the very foundations of this organization, it is a shame for multilateralism,” she stressed.

The diplomat affirmed that this measure violates the Cubans’ right to resolve their internal problems in a sovereign manner, restricting other States from establishing free and commercial ties with Cuba.

In addition, Cuba’s inclusion on the Washington’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list is one of the biggest slanders spread against any nation to undermine its stability.

“Cuba is a source of solidarity and not violence. Since 1963, it has shown the world the true meaning of cooperation by sending medical brigades to communities in need and has sheltered hundreds of young people who could not access professional training,” she highlighted.

The diplomat considered that the terrorism list is one of the most harmful measures to multiply the effects of the blockade by preventing banking transactions, receiving investments or requesting lines of credit, as well as the closing of bank accounts of several Cuban diplomatic missions in the world.

The latter is a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Mariam added.

She repeated her solidarity with Cuba, called for the Caribbean island’s removal from countries that sponsor terrorism, and the immediate end of the US blockade.

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