CPC(M-L) and all friends of Cuba in Canada and around the world congratulate the Cuban people and their government for the resounding vote at the United Nations General Assembly on June 23 to end the U.S. blockade on Cuba. This is the 29th time since 1992 that the General Assembly has passed a resolution to categorically demand the lifting of the blockade imposed 62 years ago by the U.S.

The results were 184 in favour of this year’s resolution calling for the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade the U.S. government has imposed against Cuba. Only the U.S. and Israel voted against it, while there were three abstentions: Ukraine, Colombia and Brazil. Four countries did not vote.

More than 15 nations and international organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 plus China, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the EU and Southeast Asia Nations denounced the damage caused by the U.S. hostile policy and demanded its end.

Diplomats and high-level representatives from several countries condemned the heightened hostility and the increase in unilateral coercive measures against Cuba amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Many also praised and thanked Cuba for its internationalist solidarity, sending medical brigades to assist other countries cope with the pandemic in spite of the difficulties it is subjected to by the blockade.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, denounced the massive economic hardship brought on the Cuban people by the blockade, which in monetary terms, from April 2019 to December 2020, amounts to $9.15 billion in losses. In the almost six decades of this economic war, the cumulative damage amounts to $147.853 billion.

CPC(M-L) condemns the U.S. imperialists, who claim to set the standard for human rights, yet have taken measures to strengthen the illegal blockade amidst the pandemic, with no regard for the human rights and well-being of the Cuban people. Similar situations exist in other countries where the U.S. imperialists seek regime change.

The solidarity movement with Cuba held a highly successful 24-hour virtual picket during the UN vote, culminating in a celebration of the victory. Congratulations to all those who worked hard to make sure the U.S. would be resoundingly defeated once again!

To read more about the blockade and the international movement to bring it to an end, see TML Monthly Supplement No. 16, June 22, 2021.