The UN General Assembly is meeting on Wednesday to review the draft resolution The economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba must be ended.
Since 1992, the highest deliberative body of the United Nations has urged the United States to end the sanctions affecting the Caribbean island, but the situation remains unchanged. Last year, the resolution won broad support with 185 votes in favor, but the United States and Israel voted against it, and Ukraine and Brazil abstained.
The text of the resolution outlines principles such as the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs and freedom of trade and navigation, calling on states to avoid the use of laws and measures similar to the embargo of Cuba.
The continuation of the embargo despite attempts to normalize relations between Cuba and the United States in 2015 under the administration of Barack Obama continues to be an obstacle to the development of the island. In addition, the suppression of anti-government demonstrations in 2021 further complicated the relationship between the two countries.
Losses due to blockade
Economic losses for Cuba due to the embargo are estimated at over $159 billion over six decades. According to Calucos, last year, the blockade caused losses of 4,867 million dollars, and it is said that the Cuban economy could have grown 9% without these restrictions.
In a context of severe economic conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, high oil prices and natural disasters, many countries advocated ending this “cruel and anachronistic policy.” The inclusion of Cuba in the US State Department’s list of states that promote terrorism is an additional reason for strengthening the embargo, according to some UN representatives.
From the UN platform, Cuban President Miguel DÃaz-Canel described the embargo as a “cruel and silent extraterritorial economic war.” The opinion will be announced this Thursday session. @mundiario
