SELA approves declaration to call for an end to the blockade against Cuba

During the XLVIII Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council, the Member States of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) approved a declaration to call for an end to the US blockade against Cuba.

“The economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States of America against Cuba violates International Law and is contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, the rules of the international trade system and the freedom of navigation,” said the declaration approved by the membership of SELA, which at the same time “strenuously condemns the enforcement of any law or measure contrary to the International Law, such as the Helms-Burton Law; therewith, it calls upon the Government of the United States to put an end to their implementation”.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Venezuela, Dagoberto Rodríguez, expressed during the Preparatory Meeting that, although “in recent times the United States has adopted some timid measures, in no way does it influence the central aspect of the blockade as a fundamental factor that impedes Cuba's economic and social development.”

In this regard, he stressed that in recent years the consequences of the blockade against the island “have had a record impact on the well-being of the Cuban people, and we request the support that we have historically had in this area.”

The Member States of SELA approved the declaration that requests the Government of the United States to comply with the resolutions approved by the majority of the United Nations General Assembly to lift the financial and commercial blockade against Cuba.

Furthermore, the Latin American Council of SELA recalls and reasserts Decision N° 112 of the Latin American Council in relation to the “Imposition of economic measures of a coercive nature” and Decisions N° 356 and 360, which rebut the implementation of unilateral measures that affect international trade and violate international law and the most essential principles of regional coexistence.