Cuban diplomat denounces that US blockade against Cuba has been tightened during the COVID-19 pandemic
New York, 9 February 2021. Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, participated today at the Ministerial Forum of the 59th session of the Commission for Social Development, on theme “Promotion of multilateralism to realize inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery from COVID-19”.
At the event, the Cuban diplomat denounced that the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the government of the United States against Cuba for almost 60 years, has been tightened in an unprecedented way during the COVID-19 pandemic, clearly showing its inhumane nature and the mean purposes it pursues.
However, she highlighted that despite the negative effect of COVID-19 and US sanctions, Cuba has four vaccine candidates of its own against this disease and has announced capacities to produce many more vaccines than its population would require.
She also referred to 3,400 Cuban health professionals who have provided support for the fight against COVID-19 in 39 countries and territories.
She explained that despite the appeals made by the United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights aimed at the removal of such sanctions in the context of the pandemic, the application of unilateral coercive measures continues and intensifies, in spite of the extremely negative effects on human rights, social and economic development and pandemic response capacities.
Rodríguez Abascal criticized the unjust international order, which multiplies the privileges of the rich while condemning the majorities to poverty, underdevelopment and exclusion, all of which has become much more evident due to the pandemic.
The Caribbean representative concluded by stating that it is essential to favor multilateralism, international cooperation, particularly with developing countries, and solidarity.
(CubaMINREX - Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)