RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Cuban Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA have called for an end to the US blockade against Cuba in an official statement.
Both organizations reject the coercive measures that have affected Cuba for over 60 years. The document states: “We call on the international ecumenical community, all churches and religions in the United States and the world, governments, the United Nations and all people of good will to join efforts for a global petition for an immediate end to the blockade”.
Religious organizations continue to call for the lifting of sanctions against any country, particularly now that this policy is slowing and limiting the global response to the pandemic.
They also express their gratitude to Cuban doctors, nurses and health experts for their support in the fight against the Covid-19 lung disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Concurrently, eight US organizations have published a statement calling on the Trump government to lift sanctions imposed on Cuba for some time, to ease the transport of humanitarian and medical supplies.
Civil society organizations include the Center for Democracy in the Americas, Engage Cuba, the National Foreign Trade Council and the Caribbean Baseball and Education Foundation.
They note in the text that the pandemic poses a significant threat to public health, disrupts and endangers the lives of many people around the world, and Cuba is no exception.
This outbreak affects Cuba at a vulnerable moment, as its economy is also in crisis due to the US blockade and food, drugs and fuel are in short supply.
They further explain that companies and individuals from other countries who want to help the Cuban people at this difficult moment by selling medical supplies are hindered by sanctions, among other things, because the share of US components is limited to less than ten percent, even in the case of foreign sales to Cuba.
Moreover, the sanctions against Cuba are so extensive that many foreign companies do not want to take the risk of violating the blockade rule. Banks, for instance, were also hesitant to conduct financial transactions involving Cuba.
A continued lifting of the blockade during the coronavirus crisis would also have a positive political effect for the US, according to the appeal’s signatories: “This will demonstrate the US’ compassion for the Cuban people and counteract China and others’ efforts to undermine the US’ image as a leader in global humanitarian aid,” the letter says.
Democratic Congressman James McGovern also calls on the US government to at least suspend sanctions against Cuba in the midst of the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the number of people infected in Cuba has risen to 233 and six people have died as a result of Covid-19.