CARICOM Leaders Denounce US Blockades on Cuban Trade and Finance

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Caribbean leaders rejected on Tuesday the US blockade on Cuba, including what it termed the persecution of its banking and business dealings, while calling for the lifting of the unilateral policy.

In the Final Declaration of the 7th Summit of Heads of State of the Caribbean Community and Cuba (CARICOM), held through videoconference, they “reject the imposition of unilateral coercive measures and, in that context, call for an immediate and unconditional end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade implemented by the Government of the United States of America against Cuba.”

They also urged “termination of the US persecution of Cuban financial transactions, the relentlessness of which has increased.”

The leaders reiterate their “firm rejection of the enforcement of extraterritorial laws and measures, such as the Helms-Burton Act, which grossly violate International Law and undermine the sovereignty and interests of third parties.”

Caricom and Cuban Heads of State wound up their online Summit reaffirming their will to strengthen South-South cooperation as an expression of solidarity.

They also called for “the promotion of bilateral and regional programs, as well as triangular cooperation for development, with regard paid to national priorities.”