According to Ines Fors Fernandez, taking into account the extreme devaluation of the dollar against the price of gold on the international financial market during 2010-2011 continual trends, the damages caused to the Cuban economy will exceed US$975 billion dollars.

Ambassador Fernandez made these remarks Wednesday at the Cuban Embassy along Kairaba Avenue during a press conference on the occasion of the presentation of resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by United States against Cuba” at the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which opened in New York on Wednesday.

She said the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba has been maintained and further tightened despite the growing and categorical demand by the international community in particular, and the United Nations General Assembly for its elimination.

“While the current US government has taken some positive steps, they are insufficient and extremely limited in scope. Furthermore, they are not intended to alter the complex structures of laws, regulations and provisions that make up the blockade policy against Cuba,” she noted.

The Cuban diplomat stated that the blockade violates international laws, runs contrary to the purpose and principals of the United Nations Charter, and constitutes a contravention of a sovereign state’s right to peace, development and security.

She continued: “It’s essence and objectives, the blockade represent an act of unilateral aggression and a permanent threat against the stability of a nation. The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of human rights of an entire people. It also violates the constitutional rights of US citizens by denying them the freedom to travel to Cuba, and encroaches on the sovereign rights of many other states of its extraterritorial nature.

The blockade continues to be an absurd, illegal and morally unjustifiable policy which has not succeeded and never will succeed in undermining the Cuban people’s patriotic decision to defend its sovereignty, independence and right to self-determination.”

Ambassador Fernandez said the blockade only succeeded in subjecting the Cuban population to shortages and needless suffering, restricting and hindering the development of the country and seriously damaging the Cuban economy. She added that it is the greatest obstacle Cuba faces in its economic development.

She described the blockade as an unilateral and immoral policy, which is condemned both within the United States and by the international community. “Once again, Cuba is confident that it can count on the support of the international community in its legitimate demand for an end of the blockade,” she added.

Gambia’s position

On 24th September 2009, the president of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh addressing world leaders at the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York, called on the UN to urge the United States to immediately and unconditionally lift the embargo on Cuba in accordance with the wishes of more that 98 per cent of the membership of the UN.

He made it clear that this trade embargo continues to hurt Cuban women and children and the children that are born into these extreme hardship have committed no crime saying “the punishment of women and children because of political difference is a very serious violation of human and children’s rights”.

Subsequently, in December 2010, The Gambia National Assembly ratified a resolution calling on the United Nations, United States of America and the international community to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba since 1960.