The charge d'affaires of the Cuban diplomatic mission in Liberia, Yordenis Despaigne Vera, accompanied by Second Secretary Carmen Maury Toledo received editors and photojournalists of different Liberian press media. Visitors were invited to be active participants in a press conference entitled "The blockade hurts the people of Cuba".
After welcoming remarks, the head of the Cuban diplomatic mission offered them, briefly, an overview of the legal framework that supports the blockade imposed by the US government for more than 50 years and its consequences for Cuba in several fields . He emphasized the extraterritorial nature of this coercive and unilateral policy and the executive capacities of current President Barack Obama to remove much of the content of a policy that, as he himself recognized, does not work nor has worked to achieve the North American Government's objectives.
During the session of questions and motivated by the introductory summary, several members of the audience inquired on topics such as the if Liberian government knows much about the reality of the Cuban people with the policy implemented and how it can contribute to the final lifting. Others like Joaquin Sendolo, from Daily Observer required details about why the United States perceived with skepticism and resentment to Cuba, despite the restoration of diplomatic relations.
The Conference became in fruitful dialogue on the blockade against Cuba, bilateral relations Cuba-United States, the Cuban collaboration in Africa and Cuba's historic ties with Africa.