Through a joint letter, coordinated and published by the Progressive International, the legislators described as cynical, cruel and a clear violation of international law such designation of the Caribbean nation by the United States.

In the missive, released on Friday, the signatories called on their respective governments to “take immediate steps to advocate for the removal” of the island from the list, in the name of dignity, decency and the integrity of the Charter of the United Nations.

They point out that, according to UN experts, the designation has undermined “fundamental human rights, including the right to food, the right to health, the right to education, economic and social rights, the right to life and development”.

They also stressed that this measure against the island is cruel because it is designed to maximize the suffering of the people, stifling their economy, displacing their families and even restricting the flow of humanitarian aid.

ef/arm/rgh/mks