Accra, Ghana, January 14, 2019//-Cuba is reiterating calls on the international community to exert more pressure on the United States (U.S) for the removal of the economic blockade it placed on her since 1962.
The government of the Caribbean island noted that the continuous placement of the blockade has been devastating, culminating in economic stagnation and suffering of the people.
Cuban Ambassador in Ghana, Pedro Luiz Gonzalez told Diplomatic Affairs, a Metro TV current affairs programme on international relations on Sunday: “So far we are suffering. If you arrive in Havana, you would know how bad the blockade has been”.
Ambassador Gonzalez said the 57-year old blockade has seriously undermined Cuba’s quest to grow and expand its economy, explaining even the acquisition of medicines for healthcare and attempts to expand its industries have been rendered impossible.
Despite decades of international pressure, the Americans have maintained the policy of which Ambassador Gonzalez complained has been too punitive.
“It is very strong, it is unjust “, the obviously agitated diplomat told Host, Harriet Nartey who had sought to find out about the impact of the blockade on the 11.2 million people living in Cuba.
According to him, as recent as 2017, 191 nations of the world adopted United Nations Resolutions against the blockade but the intransigence of United States and its close ally, Israel has been resounding.
He said but for the blockade, the number of Africans studying in Cuba could have been more than the current 19,000 and therefore called on well-meaning nations to increase pressure for the review of the policy.
The U.S currently has a military base in a territory belonging to Cuba, for which a paltry sum of $4,000 is paid annual in return; an amount Cuba has failed to acknowledge.
Then U.S President, John F Kennedy in 1962 announced the imposition of the blockade on Cuba after Soviet missiles were found installed in the island during Cuba’s revolution.
The blockade was initially a naval one against offensive weapons but has since been expanded to cover all types of goods and air transport.
Diplomatic Affairs airs on Sundays at 6.30pm on Metro TV, a leading TV station in Ghana.
African Eye Report
