Cuba push for lifting of US embargoes at UN meeting

Dar es Salaam. Cuba is pushing for lifting of the US economic embargo against it to tackle the impact which has also affected relations with other countries, including Tanzania. Cuban ambassador to Tanzania Mr Yordenis Despaigne Vera said yesterday the sanctions which have stayed for six decades now, have the accumulated damages of over $154 billion.

“The blockade has similar consequences in Cuba’s economic and commercial ties with the rest of the world,” he said during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam.

Cuban Republic was yesterday set to present to the United Nations General Assembly for the 30th time a proposal that calls for the unilateral and unconditional lifting of the blockade imposed by the US government in 1960’s.

“The performance of the Cuban economy has experienced extraordinary pressure that is manifested in the industry, services, retail trade, food and medicine shortages and the deterioration of the level of consumption and general welfare of the population,” said Mr Vera.

Cuba will present the draft resolution to end the US embargo at the UN meeting on November 2-3 this week, and the member states would vote.

In the last year’s voting, 184 UN member states supported Cuban move while the US and Israel dissented with Brazil, Colombia, and Ukraine abstaining.

The deputy chairperson of the Tanzania and Cuba Friendship Association Mr Salim Bukuku said they also urge the US to review its embargo against Cuba as some of the sanctions violated human rights.

“As a supporter of human rights, the US should review these sanctions because it has also limited provision of basic and important grants like those on social services,” he said.