Oslo, October 20, 2023. The condemnation of the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba and the presence of the Island on the List of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism was a main component of the political-cultural event held in this city in tribute to Ernesto Che Guevara on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of his fall in combat.
Addressing those present at the event, the Cuban ambassador, Maité Rivero Torres, highlighted that, in a context of global crisis en several fields, Cuba has had to additionally face the tightening of the blockade, which, since 2019 , escalated to a more harmful and inhuman dimension by including very aggressive measures imposed during the government of Donald Trump, which, for the most part, still remain in force.
The diplomat pointed out that the blockade represents the most unjust, severe and prolonged system of unilateral coercive measures that has been applied against any country and constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cuban people. It also continues to be the main obstacle to the deployment of all the potential of the Cuban economy, to the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan, as well as to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
In relation to the presence of Cuba on the spurious List of States sponsoring terrorism, that is unilaterally drawn up by the US Department of State, the Ambassador stated that it is arbitrary, unjust and immoral, since Cuba has never supported nor will it support acts of terrorism, while it has been a victim of terrorism. But, beyond that – she stressed – Cuba being on that list has an extremely negative impact on the national economy.
Cihan Karakoc, president of the Norway-Cuba Friendship Association, and Ane Hoel, member of the Board, in their respective statements, expressed full solidarity with Cuba in these two great battles.
During the activity, support was collected as part of the global campaign "Let Cuba Live!", which seeks to gather one million signatures to ask the US Government to remove Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism and lift the blockade. (Embacuba Norway)