Reason and justice cannot be blockaded

Reason and justice cannot be blockaded

The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade
of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its
future without foreign interference

Author: Bertha Mojena Milián <http://en.granma.cu/archivo?a=321> |
[email protected]

September 7, 2018 10:09:47
*Photo: *Martirena

When it comes to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on
Cuba for so many years, it would seem that everything has already been
said, although reality proves the contrary. As the blockade is tightened,
its damages to the island intensify, some more visible than others. This
unilateral policy, the product of senseless injustice, is the work of those
who use such measures as their means of doing politics.

Beyond constantly imposing conditions on Cuba and its people, violating
international law and trade norms, flouting basic principles of the United
Nations and the will of millions around the world, the blockade posses huge
barriers to the comprehensive development of Cubans and the broad
utilization of the potential of this people.

The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade
of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its
future without any foreign interference, without constantly suffering from
the incoherence and blunders of a policy that prevents us from paying for
our imports as any another country, which hinders our participation in the
international financial, economic and commercial system, affecting even
U.S. citizens and business sectors, restricted from developing a respectful
and convenient relationship with Cuban authorities and society.

Cuba maintains its just demand for an end to the policy, and thanks the
international community for its continued support in all possible
international forums, including the UN General Assembly, safe in the
knowledge that as long as this arbitrary, illegal and unfair policy remains
in place, we will be accompanied by reason and solid principles.

On October 31, 2018, the Cuban government will again denounce the
tightening of the blockade in the UN General Assembly. Because this
*hackneyed*policy, that the U.S. today seeks to impose – through other
means – against sister peoples around the world, represents the longest
economic war in history, and deeply touches Cuban families of all
generations. It is in our essence, our roots, to defend justice and the
truth accompanies us in this struggle.

*STEPS IN THE TIGHTENING OF THE BLOCKADE ON CUBA*

*2017*

– Donald Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) on
Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, representing a
serious setback in bilateral relations.

– The U.S. Treasury, State and Commerce Departments issued regulations that
impose additional obstacles to the limited opportunities of the U.S.
business sector in Cuba and further restrict the right of U.S. citizens to
travel to the island.

– New sanctions against Cuba have resulted in a significant decrease in
visitors from the U.S., and further obstacles to the economic and
commercial relations of Cuban companies with potential U.S. and
third-country partners, affecting the state and non-state sectors.

*2018*

– Dozens of banks in all regions of the world decided to end their
relations with Cuban or foreign companies, to eliminate their ties with
Cuba, including operations with Cuban citizens.