United Nations, Oct 30 (EFE).- The UN General Assembly approved this Wednesday, one more year and by an overwhelming majority (187 votes in favor, 2 against -USA and Israel- and 1 abstention -Moldova- ) a resolution without binding effects against the United States sanctions on Cuba, which have lasted for 62 years and have been a severe blow to the island’s economy.
“President Joseph Biden, with surprising mimicry, has left intact the coercive regime of his predecessor (Donald Trump) and has applied it aware of its devastating consequences,” said Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, from the United Nations podium just before the vote.
The resolution entitled ‘Need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba’, and which is presented annually, reaffirms “the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and interference in internal affairs, and freedom of international trade and navigation.
In his speech before the general assembly, Rodríguez Parrilla defined the sanctions against Cuba as “inhuman measures” and “typical of an extreme economic war” with which the US seeks to issue a warning to “any nation that dares to defend with assert its sovereignty and build its own future.
“Let Cuba live in peace,” said the Cuban Foreign Minister, combining English and Spanish under the undaunted gaze of the only representative of the American delegation in the room.
On the other hand, if yesterday the most forceful displays of support for the Cuban cause came from Russia, from members of the Non-Aligned Movement or the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), today Iran was the one who spoke out with greater vehemence against the US
The blockade of Cuba “is a threat to multilateralism. “Sanctions are a method of achieving petty national objectives that threaten international peace and security,” said the Iranian ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani.
Same support from the international community as in 2023
The margin of support experienced by Cuba on this occasion is identical to that obtained last year, but with the abstention of Ukraine.
The resolution has been accompanied this year by a very critical and detailed report from the UN General Secretariat.
This report, which has been prepared throughout this year, includes forceful responses against the US blockade of Cuba by more than 180 countries and 35 international institutions, including Unicef, the UN World Food Program, the United Nations Development Program or the World Health Organization.
Washington decreed the first sanctions against Cuba in 1959, shortly after the triumph of the revolution on the island, but the first major block of measures arrived in 1962, under President John F. Kennedy. Since then they have been expanded and intensified on several occasions, such as with the Helms-Burton law (1996) or the 240 measures of the Trump administration (2017-2021). Joe Biden’s government practically maintained Trump’s measures.
Cuba suffers from shortages of food, medicine and fuel; prolonged daily blackouts; rampant inflation; increasing dollarization; and deterioration of state services such as education and health.
In its annual report on what is called blockade in Cuba (and in the US, embargo), Havana estimates that the cost of the sanctions between March 2023 and February 2024 amounted to 5,056.8 million dollars, although It does not detail how it makes its calculations.
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**Interview with Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuban Foreign Minister**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Rodríguez. Following the recent vote at the UN General Assembly, the resolution calling for an end to the U.S. sanctions against Cuba once again passed overwhelmingly. What does this outcome mean for Cuba and its people?
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** Thank you for having me. The overwhelming support from 187 nations reinforces our stance that the blockade has no justification and that it is an inhumane measure affecting everyday Cubans. This is not just a political issue; it directly impacts families, health care, and our economy. The international community’s voice is clear: it’s time to end this economic war.
**Interviewer:** In your speech, you mentioned the current U.S. administration has maintained the sanctions of the previous administration. Can you elaborate on how these sanctions have evolved under President Biden?
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** Absolutely. While we had hoped for a change in approach with the Biden administration, the reality is that the same coercive measures remain intact. This continuity is surprising and disappointing, especially given the promises made during the campaign to look towards diplomacy and dialogue. The sanctions have truly devastating effects on our nation—this is a reality we cannot ignore.
**Interviewer:** You also referred to the sanctions as “inhuman measures” and a form of extreme economic warfare. Can you explain how they are perceived by the Cuban people?
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** The Cuban people experience these sanctions as a direct assault on their right to live in dignity. It’s not merely an economic challenge; it’s a calculated attempt to undermine our sovereignty and hinder our ability to thrive as a nation. We want to build our future independently, and the blockade is a threat to that aspiration, sending a message to other countries that wish to exercise their sovereignty.
**Interviewer:** The support from nations like Iran and members of the Non-Aligned Movement has been vocal against the embargo. How important is this international alliance for Cuba?
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** International solidarity is crucial for us. The support we receive from allies around the world reaffirms that our fight against imperialism and economic coercion is a shared cause. It highlights that this is not solely a Cuban issue; it’s a concern for sovereignty and freedom of all nations. The blockade undermines global stability, and many nations recognize this threat to multilateralism.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the U.S. government and the international community regarding the future of Cuba?
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** My message is simple: Let Cuba live in peace. We seek mutual respect, cooperation, and the right to determine our own path without external interference. The time has come for the U.S. to listen to the voices of its allies and the people of Cuba and to end this unjust blockade for good.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Rodríguez, for sharing your insights.
**Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla:** Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this critical issue.
