By Alejandra Garcia on November 17, 2022 from Havana
This Thursday, Cuba’s voice was heard loudly in Europe. Members of the European Parliament (MPEs), based in Brussels, Belgium, along with Belgium-based Cuban representatives, lawmakers, and members of solidarity movements of that continent, stood with the Caribbean island in its call against the inhuman and illegal US blockade.
Let Cuba Live. Those words were heard during a parliamentary session convened by the La Izquierda group to express their solidarity with Cuba and to demand the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the island for over 60 years.
“Cuba has had to face the consequences of two catastrophes: COVID-19 and the blockade, which intensified in an opportunistic and inhumane manner in recent years,” La Izquierda reminded everyone in its call.
The meeting focused on three main topics: the tightening of the siege and its impact on the island’s population, the extraterritorial effects of that policy, and how come it is possible that this policy of hatred remains in force despite the international community’s repudiation.
“Cuba lives under a daily economic war that attacks its access to medicines and basic needs. It Is inconceivable that the US insists on maintaining an extraterritorial scope of the siege, translated into laws such as the Torricelli Amendment in 1992 and the Helms-Burton Bill in 1996, which seeks to asphyxiate the island,” French MEP Leila Chaibi condemned.
During the meeting, the secretary of the Belgian Coordinating Committee to End the Blockade against Cuba, Wim Leysens, explained the activities promoted by the platform made up of more than 40 organizations to combat US hostilities.
“Many times, our Committee had to take evasive actions to defend ourselves from the US banks that refuse to make transfers to the Island out of fear of Washington’s pressure and sanctions,” Leysens highlighted.
At the event, two lawmakers of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba, Felix Martinez and Enrique Aleman, also commented about Cuba’s struggles to move forward and develop its economy despite the US siege.
They offered details about how Cuba is focused on the promotion of foreign investment, measures to boost agricultural production, and the expansion of opportunities for the private sector through micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
The meeting gave Cuba hope. Even when the United States has changed pretexts to blockade the small island-nation over the years, using lies and dark maneuvers, it hasn’t been able to spread its hatred throughout the world.
“The island is forever grateful for the support of the MEPs, solidarity organizations, and Cuban residents. They proved, once again, that Cuba is not alone,” Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla tweeted.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – US