30 October 2008

From the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

Record United Nations’ vote to end U.S. economic blockade against Cuba

The United States further isolated itself from world opinion today, following a record massive vote by the United Nations General Assembly calling for the lifting of the 46-year-old American economic and trade blockade against the Republic of Cuba.

Cuba’s Ambassador to New Zealand, José Luís Robaína García today expressed his “deep appreciation to the Government and people of New Zealand for their support of Cuba at the United Nations”

Speaking from his Wellington Embassy, Sr. Robaína said “New Zealand’s internationally recognised sense of fair play is well deserved.”

One hundred eighty-five countries voted to end the blockade. Two countries, apart from the United States, Israel and Palau voted to continue the blockade, which is estimated to have cost Cuba nearly US$100 billion.

The increasing support for Cuba can been seen in the record of United Nations votes against the blockade: 179 in 2004, 182 in 2005, and 184 in 2007.

The United Nations resolution this year also repeated the call for world governments not to recognise the Helms-Burton Act, passed by the US Congress in 1996, which penalises countries doing business with Cuba in spite of the blockade.

The blockade was established in 1962 following the humiliating defeat of the American-backed ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion by insurgents of the former Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

ENDS

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