Vigil against U.S. Blockade in Several Cities Around the World

A vigil against the economic, commercial and financial blockade that the United States has imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years was held Thursday in different cities around the world, including Rome, Albany (New York), Barcelona, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Havana and Holguin, according to a message that the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Twitter to highlight the inhumane nature of this policy in violation of the human rights of the entire Cuban population.

The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples reported that on Thursday evening the lights of the vigil were on in Albany, N.Y. in favor of the Cuban people and against the blockade, whereas Cubans living in Barcelona and friends in solidarity also raised their voices in front of the U.S. Consulate to demand that the blockade be lifted.

The Cuban Embassy in Canada thanked the expressions of solidarity with the Island on the occasion of the vigils held in Vancouver and Winnipeg.

Likewise, in the Bahamas, Cuban residents gathered in Fort Charlotte to demand the U.S. government to put an end to this policy.

According to official figures, between April 2019 and December 2020 alone, the U.S. blockade caused damages to Cuba of 9,157,000,000 dollars at current prices (436 million dollars a month on average). Cuba’s losses in the last five years exceeded 17 billion dollars, whereas the accumulated damages in six decades reach 147 billion, and at the value of gold, one trillion 337 billion.

In June, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) reaffirmed its support for the resolution against the blockade, with 184 votes in favor, two against and three abstentions.

In his report, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla remarked that health care is one of worst hit sectors, even more so during the current COVID-19 pandemic. He also denounced the measures that directly harm the Cuban people, such as the obstacles to send remittances to the Island, the normal development of links with Cubans living in the United States, and family reunification.

Add to this, he said, the smear campaign financed with the federal budget, intended to destabilize life in Cuba.

Regarding the financial persecution, he described it as "a merciless hunt" that hinders any transaction with third countries, the ability to pay and collect payments, and the access to credits.

Every year since 1992, Cuba submits to the United Nations a resolution on the need to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, a document supported by the majority of voters.