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Barbados calls on United States to lift embargo on Cuba

Published:Monday | July 19, 2021 | 12:07 AM
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz Canel leads a cultural-political event on the seaside Malecon Avenue with thousands of people in a show of support for the Cuban revolution six days after the uprising of anti-government protesters across the island, in Havan
AP
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz Canel leads a cultural-political event on the seaside Malecon Avenue with thousands of people in a show of support for the Cuban revolution six days after the uprising of anti-government protesters across the island, in Havana, Cuba.

BRIDGETOWN (CMC):

The Government of Barbados has called on the Biden administration in the United States to end the embargo imposed on the island of Cuba, stating that it is the “morally right” thing to do.

In a statement on Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs ad Foreign Trade Dr Jerome Walcott said the time has come for the United States to show leadership.

“All the embargo has achieved is an unjustified punishment of Cuba and unleashed a series of painful outcomes for its people. It has not succeeded in isolating Cuba from the rest of right-thinking nations in the international community.”

“In more recent times, the many punitive economic measures instituted by the then Trump administration have only exacerbated Cuba’s difficulties and impeded the Government response to its citizens’ pleas for help. Barbados and other members of the Caribbean Community have repeatedly raised their voices in unison at the United Nations, Organisation of American States and other international fora calling for an end to the embargo and the resultant inhumane consequences it has wrought on the good people of Cuba,” Walcott stated.

Walcott added that almost half a century ago the first four independent CARICOM member states took the decision to establish relations with Cuba.

“Since then our community has enjoyed several years of strong friendships, in some cases, familial ties and mutually respectful interactions with the Government and people of Cuba. There have been many areas of technical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges over the years. The people of our community have embraced Cuba as a valuable and respected member of our family of Caribbean nations. Specifically, over the last year alone, no less than 14 Cuban medical teams travelled across the Caribbean and played invaluable roles in helping our countries to combat and control the COVID-19 pandemic. Helping us in our darkest hours is an example of true friendship.”