The UN General Assembly
As the United Nations prepares for its expected annual vote on the U.S. blockade against Cuba, I ask: How many more votes will it take? The General Assembly has called for an end to the economic blockade against Cuba for the past 33 consecutive years. Recently, leaders from around the world have already spoken out against the Blockade on Cuba, but the U.S. continues to intensifies it’s pressure on the Cuban population in the most inhumane way!
The United Nations was founded to prevent war and defend the sovereignty of nations. Yet at this year’s General Assembly, President Trump asked whether he should “annihilate the Islamic Republic” and “drive them into hell.” How can a leader speak of peace and democracy while making such threats from the UN’s podium? The blatant profound hypocrisy in a government that claims to defend freedom while using military power and economic pressure to impose its will is just unimaginable. The UN Charter requires nations to settle disputes peacefully and refrain from unlawful threats or uses of force. Those principles must apply to the powerful countries and their allies alike.
At the UN this year, President Trump called Cuba a “failed state” and spoke about putting more pressure on the island. As a Cuban American, I worry about what this means for families. Without fuel, it is hard to keep hospitals running, pump clean water, and deliver food. UN human rights experts say the tighter fuel restrictions are causing serious harm and violate international law. For me, its an understanding that the US government wants to force political change, (as they stated previously, “take over Cuba”), by use of this collective punishment and the threat of a military action. In a legal definition: : Under International Humanitarian Law, collective punishment and measures of intimidation or terrorism against protected persons are strictly prohibited in all circumstances, and can be considered a War Crime! In an ethical standpoint: Critics and philosophers argue that collective punishment is inherently unfair because it targets innocent people; just as the US is doing to Cuba. It is the Cuban population who is suffering from these cruel and inhumane measures.
I am confident that the UN vote, in its majority will again call on the United States to end the blockade against Cuba. But countries and solidarity groups must work together to help Cuba get the supplies it needs and we must keep pressing the United States to end these restrictions.
Cuba is a country of peace. The world is watching. End the blockade. Let Cuba live in peace.
