Blockade on Cuba violates human rights, Colombian President denounced

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said today that the blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States for more than 60 years is a violation of human rights.

Petro published on his X account a photo of an army plane carrying solidarity aid to the island, which has recently been hit by four natural disasters, two hurricanes and two earthquakes.

The plane is taking to Havana more than 10 tonnes of non-perishable food, medicines and other electrical items, collected mainly by the Movement for Solidarity with the Island and the Association of Cuban Residents, with the support of the Colombian Communist Party, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Congress and also the government.

This was announced at a meeting held on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas and attended by the Cuban Ambassador, Javier Caamaño, the Senator for the Historic Pact, Gloria Flórez, activists who are friends of the island, as well as other officials and representatives of civil society.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs assured that the cargo carried an implicit message of support for Cuba in its struggle against the blockade imposed by the United States and for its removal from the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.

He added that the Cuban people deserve the help of his country for their constant support in the search for peace in Colombia, and announced the preparation of a second cargo for the beginning of 2025.

Rojas is leading a delegation that will also travel to Havana today, made up of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho; Senator Gloria Flórez, who heads the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Antillean country; and the Deputy of the Chamber of Deputies, Gabriel Becerra, as well as members of the Solidarity Movement, among others.

For his part, Ambassador Caamaño thanked the Cuban government and people for the delivery of the aid, which he described as symbolic, and praised the fact that civil society and the military had worked side by side in this task.

He also referred to the strengthening of relations between the two countries, the forthcoming inter-ministerial meeting and the potential for increased tourism from Colombia to Cuban destinations, with the increase in commercial flights as Avianca opened daily flights.

On behalf of the Solidarity Movement, Janio Romero considered that the delegation was a sign of reciprocity with Cuba, where hundreds of young Colombians have studied, and for their efforts to achieve peace in their country.