Vietnamese Lawmakers Urge US to End Blockade Against Cuba

The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Parliamentary Group has called on the United States government to terminate the economic, financial, and commercial blockade and to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

In a message of greeting and solidarity sent to the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, the group also urged the U.S. administration to “adopt the necessary measures to fully normalize relations” with the Caribbean nation. The message highlights that high-level Vietnamese leaders have frequently reaffirmed this stance, citing speeches delivered at the UN General Assembly by the Communist Party General Secretary and then President of Vietnam, To Lam, last year, and by the current President, Luong Cuong, days ago.

The message further states, “We always appreciate and take pride in the traditional relationship of friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, Governments, National Assemblies, and peoples, forged by President Ho Chi Minh and leaders José Martí and Fidel Castro.” It emphasizes that throughout its struggle for independence, as well as in the work of national construction and defense, the people of Vietnam always remember and express their profound gratitude for Cuba's valuable and sincere support.

The Parliamentary Friendship Group also reaffirmed that it “will continue to play a key bridging role and do its utmost to further deepen the special Vietnam-Cuba friendship, for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace, cooperation, and development in the world.”

At a press conference held recently, Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco praised Vietnam's consistent, systematic, and firm position against the illegal U.S. blockade. He recalled that the UN Secretary-General's report on the issue includes Vietnam's contribution, which “joins the international community in urging the United States to heed these calls, end its illegal unilateral blockade against Cuba, and remove this country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.”

Ambassador Polanco pointed out that this will be the thirty-fourth time since 1992 that the resolution will be presented, a resolution that has “historically enjoyed overwhelming approval from the international community.” He expressed hope for the same outcome this year. Polanco also denounced that in recent days, the U.S. administration “has exerted intense pressure on other governments, aiming to change their traditional position regarding the resolution.”