The blockade is a unilateral measure imposed against Cuba for more than half a century.
The initiative that appeals to an end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade on the basis of respect for the principles of UN Charter and the international law, as the sovereign equality of all states and the non-interference in their internal affairs, was rejected only by the United States and Israel.
For the twenty-fourth year in a row, the main deliberative forum of the organization called categorically to eliminate the blockade, which has caused economic damages to Cuba, estimated in USD 833 thousand 755 million, considering the depreciation of the US currency against the value of gold, but its impact to the Cuban people is incalculable.
The text reiterates the call to not enact and implement actions contrary to the UN Charter and the international law, and recalls the concerns about the extraterritorial nature of the US blockade, which is manifested in the application of laws such as the Helms-Burton law, 1996.
Also, the text recalls the clear rejection of the world to the sanctions imposed by the White House, expressed in various forums and resolutions, including those adopted by the Assembly since 1992.
The vote took place in a different scenario than in previous years, following the resumption of diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington in July, and the recognition by President Barack Obama of the need to remove the blockade, which corresponds to Congress in its major aspects, when became into a law in 1996 with the entry into force of the Helms-Burton.
In that sense, the initiative welcomes the restoration of ties between Cuba and the United States and the willingness expressed by Obama of working in order to lift the blockade, although it is still fully implemented.
hr/iht/pgh/wmr
PL-31/MNA