Under the title “United Against the US Blockade, United for Dignity,” the diplomat presented at the Auditorium of the Bolivarian University in this capital the damage caused to Cuba by this policy, upheld by Washington for more than six decades, in the presence of the institution’s dean, Pedro Quiroz.

As a preamble, Perez read the secret memorandum written on April 6, 1960, by Lester D. Mallory, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, in which he outlined the philosophy of the US blockade.

The diplomat quoted, “Most Cubans support Castro… the only foreseeable way to weaken internal support is through disappointment and dissatisfaction arising from economic unrest and material difficulties (…).”

The letter suggested “… quickly using all possible means to weaken Cuba’s economic life (…)”

During the conference organized by the Evo Pueblo National Urban Coordinating Committee, the diplomat explained that this policy has been in place for more than six decades and is now manifested in several forms, including the obstacle to maritime transport to the island, endorsed in the so-called Torricelli Act.

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