Brazil condemns blockade of Cuba and calls for US suspension

“Today, as so many times before, Brazil reiterates its firm, categorical and constant opposition to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba.” The sentence is part of the speech made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, this Tuesday (29), during a meeting of the UN General Assembly.

The meeting aims to analyze a new resolution against the United States blockade of the Island, imposed more than 60 years ago. Since 1992, Cuban authorities have submitted a proposal to the UN to lift the embargo.

In his message, which reflects the Brazilian position, Vieira stated that the country was reiterating its request, together with the United States, for its policy towards Cuba to be reconsidered, in order to eliminate sanctions, removing Cuba from the list of sponsoring states of terrorism and fostering “constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and non-interference”.

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As the Brazilian minister highlighted, “the embargo caused incalculable suffering to the Cuban people, hindered Cuba’s sustainable development and, as in many other similar cases, mainly affected the most vulnerable”.

Vieira also highlighted that “the persistence of this measure directly affects the exercise of human rights by the Cuban people, limiting access to essential goods, such as medicines and technologies essential for development.”

The minister also stated that Brazil is following with great concern the current energy emergency situation in Cuba, “aggravated by the embargo and the recent passage of Hurricane Oscar, which caused human losses and significant destruction in the eastern region of Cuba”.

To help mitigate this situation, he said, Brazil activated “cooperation and assistance measures, seeking solutions to provide fuel and food to the Cuban population through various channels.”

Vieira also recalled that in September 2023, during the 47th Summit of the G77 and China in Havana, Brazil and Cuba signed a “Letter of Intent” to establish a cooperation program in the agricultural area.

“The operation included the donation of rice and powdered milk to Cuba, intended to improve food security. Brazil supplied 20,000 tons of rice and 3,116 tons of powdered milk, distributed to the Cuban population to help cover their basic food needs.”

Finally, he stressed that Brazil “will remain committed to a solution based on the principles of solidarity and cooperation, as we firmly believe that the end of the embargo will be essential for Cuba to overcome the challenges it faces and guarantee the well-being of its people” .