The Cuban people have had to suffer, face and stoically and heroically resist the most prolonged, systematic and devastating economic aggression that any country has faced in modern times.
Very few countries would have survived the policy of aggression and ruthless hostility such as the economic, commercial and financial blockade developed against Cuba by the United States, the richest and most powerful imperialist power in the world, against a small developing country located 90 miles from its coasts. It is undoubtedly a brutal, abusive and inhumane violation of international law.
If such a policy had been applied against another country, even a developed one like Britain for example, the monarchy would probably have collapsed long ago, the political and social chaos would have been such that the traditional political parties would have disappeared, the country would have fragmented and the population would have sunk into despair and poverty.
That is why the fact that Cuba has managed to survive, despite the enormous difficulties and problems it faces, the great sacrifices and sufferings endured by our people, surprises even our adversaries, has been made possible by the extraordinary strength of a revolution and the monolithic unity of the people, under the guidance of extraordinary and exceptional leaders.
Cuba is the only country in the world where Americans are forbidden to travel as tourists, forbidden to use the US dollar, subjected to persecution and financial harassment, where they try to prevent access to fuel, many medicines and numerous technologies even if they are not American, many entrepreneurs, bankers and businessmen cannot do business with Cuba because of threats or fear of displeasing the powerful power of the North, and in addition, the most devastating campaign of propaganda, disinformation and disrepute ever orchestrated against any country is being waged against it.
But also surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of the world's governments in the United Nations, for more than two decades, every year condemn the policy of aggression and blockade and even the main allies of the US colossus condemn its ferocious and hateful hostility against the small but heroic Cuba, which is a paradigm of cooperation and friendship with all the peoples of the world, including the US.
The US government tries to show disinterest towards the criticisms of the rest of the world with its usual arrogance, but it bothers them and they do not understand how it happens and do not know how to avoid it.
These measures have intensified in recent years, to which has been added the absurd inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, created unilaterally by the US Department of State. On 12 January 2021, barely a week before the end of his term in office, President Donald Trump, without any evidence or legal basis whatsoever, re-inscribed Cuba on this infamous list.
It is impossible to mention a single case of violent action perpetrated on US territory that is the responsibility of Cuba, that has been sponsored, promoted or protected by Cuba, while Cuba has been one of the countries most attacked by organisations supported, created or stimulated by the United States, with more than 3500 Cuban victims killed by terrorist groups financed, trained and armed by the United States.
It is time for the US administration to abandon a policy that represents neither the interests nor the will of the majority of Americans, and detracts from the prestige and authority of their country in the world, and to assume a policy of respect for the government and people of Cuba, in favour of the development of normal relations, respecting their sovereignty and independence within the differences that exist between the two countries.
Down with the blockade!
Long live Cuba Libre!
Association of Cubans Living in Jamaica ‘Antonio Maceo’.
Kingston, 12 September 2024