New York, 31 October 2017. The blockade of the United States against Cuba was unilaterally imposed 55 years ago. More than 70 percent of the current Cuban population has been born and raised under the implementation of this policy, which hinders Cuba's economic development and constitutes a flagrant violation of the human rights of the Cuban people.
Between the years 2015 and 2016, the United States executive branch amended some of the regulations of the blockade policy to modify implementation thereof. This was a step in the right direction, aimed at modifying an unwieldy, unjust and almost universally rejected policy.
On June 16, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced the strengthening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, as a key component of his policy towards the Island. This was reaffirmed in his address to the United Nations during the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly in September 2017.
With his policy towards Cuba, President Trump reverses the progress achieved in bilateral relations after Presidents Raul Castro Ruz and Barack Obama announced on 17 December 2014 the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the beginning of a process to normalize bilateral ties.
The economic damages caused by the implementation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba amounts to 822 thousand 280 million dollars. At current prices, over all these years the blockade has provoked damages of more than 130 thousand 178.6 million dollars.
The new measures announced by the current US government pose additional obstacles to the already limited trading opportunities between Cuba and the United States. These measures further restrict the right of US citizens to travel to Cuba and diminish prospects for the Cuban people to achieve sustainable development in the medium term.
The economic, commercial and financial blockade is not a bilateral issue between the United States and Cuba. Its extraterritorial nature is maintained and it is rigorously applied with complete impunity and in flagrant violation of International Law.
The blockade must be brought to a halt as it is the most unjust, severe and prolonged system of unilateral sanctions ever applied against any country. On 25 occasions, an overwhelming majority has spoken out at the United Nations General Assembly in favor of respect for International Law and observance of the Principles and Purposes enshrined in the Charter of the Organization.
Cuba will not cease in its claim for the lifting and total elimination of the blockade. Therefore, on 1 November 2017, the Cuban government will denounce the strengthening of this policy and will once again present to the United Nations General Assembly the draft resolution entitled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government against Cuba”.
Cuba reiterates its lasting gratitude to the international community for demanding the cessation of this illegal, genocidal and extraterritorial policy, which will never prevent the Cuban people from defending their sovereignty and their right to freely determine their future.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.