Cuba Solicits Nigeria, Other African Countries Support To End Financial Blockade

The Cuban government has called on Nigeria and other African countries to continue with its support towards ending the financial and economic blockade imposed on the country by the United States (U.S.).

The Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Palmero, made the call at a press conference, ahead of the vote against the United States blockade at the United Nations General Assembly on October 28th and 29th,

She also said she is optimistic that Nigeria’s and Africa’s support would help end the blockade that has impacted all Cuban citizens.

Ambassador Palmero, lamented that the government of the United States maintained a maximum pressure policy against Cuba and continued to fully implement the economic, commercial and financial blockade, which is the fundamental pillar of that policy.

According to her from March 1st, 2023 to February 29, 2024 the blockade caused material damages to Cuba estimated at USD 5,056,800,000, which represents an increase of USD 189,800,000 as compared to the figure that appears in the previous Report.

“All of the above reflects the strengthened impact of the blockade on Cuban exports, particularly in the tourism sector; the ruthless persecution of the country’s financial and banking operations as well as the comprehensive damages caused to Cuba’s entrepreneurial system, production and the services provided to the populations.

“This represents an impact of more than USD 421,000,000 a month, or more than USD 13,800,000 a day; or more than USD 575,683 per hour in damages as a result of the blockade.

“At current prices, the damages accumulated during more than six decades of implementation of this policy, amount to USD 164,141,100,000.

“Taking into account the value of the dollar against the price of gold at the international market, the blockade has caused damages amounting to more than USD 1,499,710,000,000,” she said.

She explained that the US blockade against Cuba violates International Law, adding that it is contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

“It is also unacceptable for the US government to ignore and disregard the call of the international community to put an end to this illegal and inhumane policy, as expressed in the 31 resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the need to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba,” the envoy said.

The United States maintains a comprehensive economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba.

It will be recalled that, in February 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba, in response to certain actions it claimed the Cuban Government took, and directed the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury to implement the embargo, which remains in place today.

Olusola Akintonde