In an opinion article published in La Estrella de Panamá, the diplomat noted that the economic, commercial and financial blockade goes beyond the bilateral framework and quoted the special rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Alena Dohan, when she referred to the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures.
Regarding these actions, the diplomat pointed out that ‘all these sanctions are so complex and comprehensive that not even the so-called European Union’s Blockade Statute fully protects its own companies that wish to do business with Cuba, although those countries condemn the Helms-Burton Act.’
Cairo added that the extraterritorial effects of the blockade generate fear among business people, so they do not trade with Cuba.
He added that a 3.7-million-dollar fine was recently imposed on a Swiss bank for carrying out operations with Cuban nationals, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and published by the Wall Street Journal.
The text explains that from March 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, the economic war’s damages were estimated at 4.867 billion dollars.
Taking into account the behavior of the dollar against the value of gold in the international market, Washington’s blockade has caused damages worth more than 1.337 trillion dollars in more than 60 years, the article adds.
The ambassador indicated that Washington’s genocidal policy to starve the Cuban people continues to make the difference between life and death.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States refused to grant permission for the acquisition of medical oxygen for the Cuban health system, Cairo informed.
He commented that around 450 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Cuba, and mentioned that it was not possible to administer Lomustine to a six-year-old child, as Cuba lacks access to that drug due to the blockade.
The ambassador also criticized the manipulation against national peace in connection with the demonstrations in isolated parts of the country on March 17, where a group of citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the difficulties that have had an impact on the deficit of electricity generation and the distribution of food, which is the result of the shortages imposed by the blockade, he remarked.
On what has happened, he affirmed, the images have been eloquent: the highest local authorities were with the people to attend to their claims, listen, dialogue and explain the enormous efforts being made to improve the situation.
On the other hand, Cairo stressed that in the face of the inhuman blockade and other aggressions, the Cuban people’s dignity will not be vilified and will continue to be free and sovereign, with calls for peace and not hatred.
Cairo supported his reflections with a phrase by General Omar Torrijos Herrera (1929-1981) when he asserted that ‘every minute of the blockade against Cuba is sixty seconds of Latin American shame.’
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