The Cuban ambassador to Panama, Victor Cairo, today denounced the extraterritorial nature of the blockade imposed by the United States on the island for more than six decades.
In an opinion article published in the newspaper La Estrella de Panamá, the diplomat stated that the economic, commercial and financial siege transcends the bilateral framework and quotes the special rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Alena Dohan, on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures.
On these actions, the official pointed out that "all these sanctions are so complex and comprehensive that not even the so-called European Union's Blockade Statute fully protects its own companies that wish to carry out operations with Cuba, despite the fact that these countries reject the Helms-Burton Act".
Cairo added that the extraterritorial effects of the blockade generate fear among businessmen so that they do not trade with Cuba and cited that recently a fine of 3.7 million dollars was imposed on a Swiss bank for carrying out operations with Cuban nationals, according to OFAC and published by the Wall Street Journal.
The text specifies that from March 1, 2022 to February 28 of last year, the economic war caused damages estimated at 4,867 million dollars.
Taking into account the behavior of the dollar against the value of gold in the international market, the blockade has caused damages of more than 1 trillion 337 billion 57 million dollars in more than 60 years, the text added.
The Caribbean ambassador also indicated that Washington's genocidal policy to starve its people continues to make the difference between life and death. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, he exemplified, the United States refused to grant permission for the acquisition of medical oxygen for the Cuban health system.
He also commented that around 450 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed annually on the island, and mentioned that it was not possible to administer Lomustine to a six-year-old infant, a drug that the blockade does not allow access to.
On the other hand, the author criticized the manipulation against national peace in connection with the demonstrations in isolated parts of the country on March 17, where a group of citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the difficulties that have had an impact on the deficit of electricity generation and the distribution of food, which is the result of the shortages imposed by the blockade, he remarked.
On what has happened, he affirmed, the images have been eloquent: the highest local authorities were with the people to attend to their claims, listen, dialogue and explain the enormous efforts being made to improve the situation.
On the other hand, Cairo stressed that in the face of the inhuman blockade and other aggressions, the dignity of his people will not be vilified and will continue to be free and sovereign, with calls for peace and not hatred.
And he underpinned his reflections with the phrase of General Omar Torrijos Herrera (1929-1981) when he asserted that "every minute of blockade against Cuba is sixty seconds of Latin American shame".