Mejía blamed Washington for the precariousness suffered by the Cuban people due to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed for more than six decades by successive US administrations, an unjust policy that has worsened in recent years.

The Minister of Regional Integration Policies of the Dominican Republic added that if there is a shortage in Cuba, it is not due to administrative corruption, nor due to the inability of the system or the leaders of the Revolution, as occurs in other countries.

All the precariousness that Cuba is undergoing has to do with the blockade, with the economic terrorism imposed on the country by the United States and its allies, “who have their boot on its neck,” he told the “Cafecito Político” column of Diario Libre.

He considered it logical that there is an energy and food crisis due to all the unfair restrictions that Cuba has to access the international market, even if it has the money to do so.

Regarding the peaceful protests that occurred in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba recently, Mejías considered that it is logical that there is dissatisfaction among the population due to the difficult situation that the country is going through, exacerbated precisely by Washington’s blockade.

He pointed out that unlike what happens in other nations, in Cuba that day no gunshot was heard, nor were tear gas bombs fired, but rather the top authorities of the province immediately got involved and held an illuminating dialogue with the dissatisfied people.

Mejías noted that the United States and its transnational press companies carry out these kinds of actions and, not satisfied with the blockade and the damage and displeasure it generates, they also sponsor groups to try to destabilize the Revolution.

The Dominican leader pointed out that Cuba still maintains its social achievements and is an important reference in health care and education.

He called for respect for the self-determination of peoples and said that Cuba has the right to live without a blockade.

The political leader informed that he will travel to Havana in late March to sign an agreement with the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), and said that doing so at this time is an act of courage and loyalty.

In February, upon returning from a visit to Cuba, Mejías wrote that Cuba is solidarity, humanity, scientific knowledge and great ideological firmness, while US imperialism refuses to recognize that in 65 years of blockade it has not been able to subdue the Revolution.

He recalled that on November 4, the United Nations General Assembly, by an overwhelming majority (287 votes in favor, two against and one abstention), expressed itself in favor of the lifting the blockade, because it is a violation of international law and is based on illegal unilateral measures.

Despite Washington’s irrationality and the precarious economic situation that these heroic people are experiencing, Cuba’s political leadership seeks to maintain, against all odds, the fundamental achievements of the Revolution, Mejía stated.

jg/ro/mpv