On November 1, world opposition to Washington’s aggression against Cuba was laid bare when virtually the whole world — 191 governments — voted to lift the blockade of Cuba. The only governments voting for the blockade were the U.S. and Israel.
This Liberation News reporter attended the General Assembly session. Speaker after speaker rose to oppose the blockade. Many detailed the progressive role that Cuba plays in the international community, from aiding liberation struggles in Africa to providing health care around the world. Cuban Ambassador Bruno Parilla was greeted with applause, and his speech followed by a standing ovation from the visitors gallery, a rare occurrence in the United Nations General Assembly.
After the UN session, progressives in the U.S. held a rally denouncing this imperialist aggression against Cuba. The Trump administration’s vote not only goes against international public opinion. Polls have shown that most people in the U.S. oppose the blockade.
The UN has held this non-binding vote every year since 1992. Last year was the first in which the U.S. and Israel abstained instead of voting no as part of the Obama administration’s policy of beginning a process of ‘normalization’ between the two states. U.S. ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, made it very clear that the new Trump administration would not be interested in such a course, rather returning to the traditional U.S. policy of antagonizing and sabotaging the sovereign island nation.
In her speech she claimed the U.S. was acting in the “interest of the Cuban people,” but that claim could not be further from the truth. When taking into account the devaluation of the U.S. dollar, this blockade has cost Cuba the equivalent of $822 billion. This has severely limited the Cuban government’s ability to develop its economy and provide the Cuban people with the best quality of life. It is worth noting though, that in spite of this massive set back, the Cuban government has still made amazing advances in employing and housing its population and provided all Cuban citizens with free education and healthcare.
Ambassador Haley’s hypocrisy was clearly exposed when Sacha Llorenty, Bolivian ambassador to the UN, asked if the U.S. was so concerned with democracy and human rights, then why have they been and continue to be behind so many coup d’etats, political suppression, and violation of human rights all across the world.
Resist Trump! Resist the blockade!
Cuban ambassador Bruno Parrilla further contrasted Nikki Haley’s comments in a 40-minute speech detailing the aggressions of the U.S. government against Cuba ever since the U.S.-backed Batista regime was overthrown in 1959. He explained the long history of invasion, support of terror, and many techniques the U.S. government has used to punish Cuba for refusing to be a pawn. Ambassador Parilla called for undoing the blockade as a necessary action in allowing Cuba to develop and govern itself the way it sees fit in a global economy dominated by America and the wealthy elite.
Rally held outside UN after General Assembly
Immediately after the UN session, U.S. activists carried this spirit to the streets of New York City, and, showing determination to stand with the rest of the world against this economic sabotage. After rallying at nearby Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, people marched to the Cuban Mission chanting “Cuba Si! Bloqueo No!” and “We support the Cuban Revolution!” Flyers were distributed to people along the way with information on the blockade and its effects on Cuba.
The event was hosted by the US-Cuba Solidarity Committee and included attendees from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Workers World Party, Venceremos Brigade, Zulu Nation, Socialist Workers Party and others. Some had traveled from all across the United States to make it.
