«For 5 days, from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 in October, Cuban families were deprived, except for a few hours, of electricity, with the anxiety that food would spoil and it would not be possible, or very expensive, to replace it, and many of them lacked running water. Hospitals operated under emergency conditions and schools and universities suspended their classes. The entities interrupted their activities and only the vital ones were maintained. The economy stopped. »

This is how the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, began his speech when presenting on Wednesday the draft Resolution entitled “Need to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.”

Once again on the podium of the plenary hall of the United Nations General Assembly, for the thirty-second time, the representative of Cuba - this time its Foreign Minister - denounced how and how much the inhuman policy imposed by the US Government affects the Cuban people.

An impressive silence took over the room, while the head of Cuban diplomacy reviewed hard passages of our recent history, that of the last few days, that of successive weeks, that of every month, the daily life of Cubans for more than 60 years, which, impacted by a fierce economic war, remains standing, without giving up any of its principles.

The message has been crystal clear. The economy of this small Island has experienced unprecedented hardship in recent years, with a critical impact on the well-being of the population. The people suffer it daily, while the Government works tirelessly to find solutions to such an adverse challenge.

At the end of his vibrant speech, on behalf of the Cuban Government and people, the foreign minister respectfully asked those present in the plenary to vote in favor of the text that demands the lifting of this inhuman and obsolete policy.

He had previously told the representatives of the international community that "by pressing the green button on their tables, they would be confirming that the blockade against Cuba is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and International Law, and must cease."

After a round of applause, the vote was taken. It was then that a cascade of green dots flooded the electronic screens of the emblematic hall, recording the stance of each seat.

With 187 votes in favor, Cuba once again achieved a resounding victory. The delegations of the United States and Israel voted against, while Moldova abstained.

Washington was once again isolated. Since 1992, without interruption, this same Assembly has unequivocally declared itself in favor of ending the U.S. blockade. The reasons that support this claim are as valid today as they were then.

In this October of turbulent scenarios in most regions of the world, 187 countries, including large and small, rich and poor, developed and developing nations, with their votes in favor, reaffirmed the right of the Cuban people, and of all nations, to defend their independence, sovereignty and self-determination, without foreign interference or intervention.

The support for the Cuban resolution sent, like a gust of wind, a firm message to the current President of the United States and the next one, to use their executive prerogatives and repair the serious injustice committed against the Cuban family.

What the resolution approved on Wednesday in New York demands is in no way a concession to Cuba; it is not a generous act or preferential treatment: it is simply that the injustice ceases.

The overwhelming support of the international community is the recognition of the heroic resistance of the noble, dignified and supportive Cuban people.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff