South African Permanent Deputy Representative Marthinus van Schalkwyk said that just as last year his country joined 187 other States that voted in favor of the Resolution on the Necessity to End the Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade Imposed on Cuba, and that position will be ratified in 2024.

He stressed that Washington policy is the most notable obstacle that Cuba faces in its efforts to achieve its development goals, in particular the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He expressed concern about the harmful impact that the blockade has on the livelihoods of the Cuban people, especially the most vulnerable persons, and urged the United States to withdraw this unjust burden of sanctions and to choose to engage in constructive dialogue.

Van Schalkwyk highlighted the effects that the US policy causes in terms of the shortage of basic products, which leads to hyperinflation, especially in the food sector, which is coupled with an increase in the price of fuel, which raises the cost of food and other items, and raises the damage caused to the population.

He also referred to the extraterritorial application of the blockade, which hinder Cuban trade with other nations by increasing legal, economic, commercial and financial risks and, therefore, restricting the strengthening of bilateral trade relations.

Van Schalkwyk mentioned, as an example, that the blockade is a major obstacle for South African companies to do business with Cuba, although both countries maintain relations that are a model of South-South cooperation.

“South Africa has strengthened its bilateral cooperation with Cuba and we are looking for new areas, such as in the development of infrastructure, agriculture, education and in science and innovation,” he noted.

Van Schalkwyk underlined how Washington’s policy hinders the normal development of Cuba, which depends on tourism and the provision of professional skills as the main drivers of its economy.

“Cuba sends many medical professionals as part of exchange programs and has an emerging biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, but the blockade continues to prevent these sectors from achieving their full potential, which leads to hundreds of millions of dollars in potential losses and income,” he added.

The South African representative praised the countries that have adopted measures to mitigate the specific effects of the Helms Burton Act and asked other nations to eliminate all legislation that hinders Cuba’s development. “We are making the same call today to the United States to remove Cuba from the list of sponsors of terrorism. The conception of the 2030 Agenda remains threatened because the blockade prevents a member state from participating fairly in its own socioeconomic development,” he stated.

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