The following is a Press Release by the Cuba Friendship Society in Dunedin.
Dunedin Cuba Friendship member Jen Olsen contacted Foreign Minister Winston Peters today and asked him to endorse a declaration made by the South Island Cuba Friendship Societies.
"The Declaration concerns the latest escalation by the United States of the blockade of Cuba" Jen said. "New Zealand has opposed the blockade in votes at the UN since 1995, along with the vast majority of UN member states".
Under Obama, there was an improvement in Cuba-US relations but the current US government are activating the controversial Title 111 of the Helms-Burton Act, which allows legal action in the US against anyone who invests in Cuba.
This is intended to further damage the Cuban economy, which has already suffered from over fifty years of economic blockade.
"Canada, the EU, China and Russia have all opposed Title 111" said Jen, "I believe New Zealand should publicly stand by Cuba and I have asked Mr Peters to endorse our Declaration, which asks the Government to protect New Zealand investments in Cuba and advocate internationally for the end of the Cuban blockade".
The Cuban Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Mario Alzugaray Rodriguez will visit Dunedin for the last time in July this year to open an exhibition of photos entitled 'Cuba Through New Zealand Eyes' which will be on display at the Business School of the University of Otago.
Below you can download the relevant Statement in PDF format
