In the period between March 2023 and February 2024, the economic damages caused by the blockade policy of the United States against Cuba in the agricultural sector amounted to no less than 441 million 122,320.38 dollars.
The negative impact of the economic blockade on access to foreign currency, inputs, raw materials, fertilizers, machinery, fuels, chemical products and technologies has caused a considerable decrease in national food production. Additionally, the impossibility of contracting a significant number of shipping companies has interrupted the arrival of supplies already paid for.
As a result, despite the considerable resources and efforts made by the Cuban State, in 2023, it was not possible to meet the planned deliveries to the population of a group of food products, with a significant decrease with respect to 2022 in rice, beans, bread, coffee, oil, soy yogurt, meat products, powdered milk and sugar.
United Nations system agencies, funds and programs have also felt the intimidating effect of the blockade. For example, in the period between March 2023 and February 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) tried to buy tractors for small producers from a supplier in Puerto Rico for a total value of 1.5 million dollars, but the manufacturer decided not to take the risk of selling to Cuba.
The mandate holders of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council on the Right to Food, the Right to Development, Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and on the Adverse Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, sent on January 25, 2024 a joint communication to the U.S. government, in which they emphasized the negative impact of this policy on Cuba's ability to guarantee the right to food and an adequate standard of living for its citizens. They were categorical in qualifying the blockade as a serious violation of International Law, of the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, as well as of the human rights of the Cuban people, including the right to life. The communication also recognizes that the blockade has restricted Cuba's access to external multilateral financing for development programs in agriculture and rural development, and to rehabilitate and modernize agricultural equipment and infrastructure.
On October 29 and 30, the United Nations General Assembly will consider and vote on the draft resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, financial and commercial embargo of the United States of America against Cuba”. Once again, the international community will raise its voice and overwhelmingly reject this unjust, illegal and cruel policy.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations