Parliamentarians call for lifting of US economic embargo against Cuba

Jamaican elected officials have again demanded that the United States (US) end nearly six decades of economic sanctions against Cuba. The call was made today as lawmakers debated a resolution tabled in the Jamaican Parliament by Attorney General Marlene Malahoo-Forte.

"The government of the United States must totally eliminate the blockade on Cuba unilaterally and unconditionally," declared Malahoo-Forte as she opened the debate.

"It constitutes an aggression on the right to peace, development and the free determination of sovereign states," she added.

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips, in supporting the resolution, described the blockade as a "deepening threat to global stability and the progress of the Caribbean people".

"What we should be urging in this House is that Jamaica should be raising our voice in the international community, in CARICOM, so that we all stand together and speak as one voice," said Phillips.

The US economic embargo was first imposed against Cuba in 1962. There were signs that relations between the US and Cuba were thawing when former US President Barack Obama announced a softening of the sanctions. But since taking office last year, incumbent US President Donald Trump has expanded the sanctions.

According to Malahoo-Forte, the embargo has caused accumulated damage totalling $934 billion.
She called on the US to comply with the 26 resolutions adopted by the international community through the United Nations General Assembly and end the sanctions.

"The blockade violates international laws. It is contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," she said.

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