Once again, the world has demanded an end to the genocidal US blockade of socialist Cuba. On 29 October, 165 countries voted to condemn the blockade, while only seven, led by the United States and joined by its Zionist ally, Israel, opposed the resolution. For the 33rd consecutive year, the world has isolated the US and its backers in their criminal war against a small, historically underdeveloped nation that dares to build socialism and put the needs of humanity and the planet before profit.
The US blockade, imposed for over six decades, has cost Cuba more than $160 billion and continues to strangle the island’s economy. It blocks access to food, fuel, medicines, spare parts and international financial systems. The US’s extraterritorial sanctions punish countries and companies that trade with Cuba isolating the island; while Cuba’s inclusion on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list deepens the economic siege. This form of economic warfare is designed to, in the words of the US government itself, to cause ‘hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.’
At the UN, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla condemned the blockade as ‘a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cuban people.’ It is the longest system of unilateral, coercive measures which collectively deprives the Cuban population from accessing essential goods, hindering the island’s development. Yet despite these relentless attacks, Cuba continues to send doctors to disaster zones, defend Palestine against Zionist genocide and stand with anti-imperialist movements worldwide.
The annual UN vote is a powerful expression of international solidarity, but solidarity must be turned into struggle. The US ignores world opinion and international law with impunity, backed by its allies. It is up to socialists, communists, and anti-imperialists everywhere to build the movement to break the blockade through protest, education and direct solidarity with Cuba’s socialist revolution.
End the blockade now!
Hands off Cuba!
Victory to socialist Cuba!
