KINGSTON, JAMAICA, October 31st, 2017. Hours before the historic voting at United Nations General Assembly against the United States blockade, the Parliament of Jamaica unanimously adopted a motion condemning the outdated policy that has a tremendous impact on the people of Cuba.
The motion, adopted for nine consecutive years now by the Jamaican legislators, condemns the “economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States” and refers that this policy continues to be “the main obstacle to the economic and social development of Cuba”.
The document expresses that “blockade is a violation of international law and is contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and to the norms governing international trade and freedom of navigation, as well as constituting a transgression of the right to peace, development and security of a sovereign state”.
During the presentation of the motion, legislator Alando Terrelongue added that the Cuban people has endured for many years now a policy of economic siege that has no place in the modern world.
Terrelongue highlighted also the resilience of the Cuban people and its solidarity despite blockade, values inherited from essential figures like the Historic Leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz and Ernesto Che Guevara.
In a perfect Spanish Terrelongue conveyed a message of solidarity and companionship from the people and Parliament of Jamaica to the Cuban people.
Lisa Hanna, former minister of Culture and Opposition Spokeperson on Foreign Trade, highlighted that the policy of blockade not only affects Cuba because it has a strong extraterritorial character that limits the commercial relations with third countries. “Our two countries have share mutually beneficial bilateral programs, especially in sports, education and health. However, the embargo has not allowed the full potential of our relationship. It´s time to acknowledge that the embargo is not just a US-Cuba issue but one crucial to the national interests of the Caribbean nations”, she stated.
Other legislators from the main political forces of Jamaica spoke in support of Cuba. The motion was approved unanimously.
The Parliamentary hearing was attended by Cuban Ambassador, Inés Fors Fernández, special guest, and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Marcia Gilbert Roberts.