The CPUSA International Department strongly condemns the U.S. government’s vote at the October 30th U.N. General Assembly. The U.S. stood almost completely alone in approving its own economic blockade on Cuba, which it has maintained for more than six decades. In a display of open, callous disregard for the position of the international community, the U.S. and Israel were the only two countries to vote against Cuba’s resolution to end the inhumane U.S. policy.

Just this month, Cuba suffered a widespread blackout precisely because of the U.S. government’s “maximum pressure policy,” aimed at depriving Cuba of imported fuel, in flagrant violation of international law. Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Cuba during the blackout, compounding the crisis on the island. In addition to imposing an energy crisis, the economic blockade is also designed to force food shortages and economic devastation on the Cuban people. According to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, “The accrued cost of 4 months of economic blockade is equivalent to 1.6 billion dollars.” Because of the blockade, Cuba is struggling to acquire enough food for the state’s rationing program, which guarantees the basic needs of Cuban families. Without the loss of revenue caused by Cuba’s inability to participate in international markets, Cuba would be more than able to meet these needs.

The U.S. government’s stubborn refusal to recognize that its policies are antithetical to human rights is crystal clear to the vast majority of people and nations. Rather than unjustly placing Cuba on a list to sanction and deprive the Cuban people of basic human needs, we call on the Biden Administration to immediately remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and to end the criminal blockade against the Cuban people. Hasta la victoria siempre!

Image: Vote at the U.N. General Assembly on the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba” by UN (news.UN.org)

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