Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, has condemned the US blockade as a form of ‘non-conventional warfare’ during a recent UN General Assembly debate. He highlighted the blockade’s severe impact, estimating damages at $8 billion over the past year, exacerbated by a fuel blockade that has crippled the island’s energy supply. This situation has led to widespread power cuts and shortages of essential goods, raising concerns about a humanitarian emergency.
The international response has been mixed, with many countries in Africa and the Caribbean expressing solidarity with Cuba. However, support for resolutions against the blockade appears to be waning, as evidenced by a drop in votes from 187 to 165 last year. The US maintains that there is no blockade, attributing Cuba’s struggles to its own government policies, which has sparked further debate about the root causes of the crisis.
Rodriguez’s remarks underscore the ongoing tensions between Havana and Washington, particularly as diplomatic talks have stalled. He emphasized that progress is unlikely unless the US changes its approach, viewing Cuba as an equal rather than a subordinate. The EU has also pointed out that while the blockade is damaging, Cuba must undertake significant reforms to address its internal issues.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the implications for Cuba’s population are dire. With limited fuel for power generation and dwindling supplies of food and medicine, the blockade’s effects are felt daily, raising urgent questions about the future of US-Cuba relations and the well-being of the Cuban people.
Source: Al Jazeera
