BIG BRIDGE, Westmoreland — For the past 30 years the United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn the American economic embargo of Cuba.

The last time around, November 2022, the vote in the 193-member General Assembly was 185 countries supporting the condemnation, the United States and Israel opposing it, and Brazil and Ukraine abstaining.

The matter is scheduled to be back before the General Assembly next month and there is a quiet hope that this time around the resolution will be passed.

“November first and second, the resolution presented by Cuba against the genocidal and unilateral blockade policy imposed by the Government of the United States against the Cuban people will be voted for the 31st time in the United Nations General Assembly. Undoubtedly, it has its place in the history of humanity as the most prolonged and severe blockade to which a nation has been subjected,” Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Fermîn Quiñones told a meeting of the Jamaica Cuba Friendship Association at Bridgez Jerk and Reststop in Big Bridge district, Westmoreland, last Saturday.

“We are [being] punished for our rebelliousness and determined decision to build a different social work. The only crime committed by the Cuban people is the desire to be free and independent, to govern their country without the interference of foreign powers. For more than 60 years, Cuban families have been victims of this abusive policy,” added Quiñones.

He argued that the move by the US is a violation of human rights and a breach of Article II, paragraph C of the Geneva Convention of 1948, which constitutes an act of genocide.

“It is something that generates more problems for the United States Government because a lot of governments worldwide are requesting the removal of such a policy, but unfortunately they apply rules to everybody but they do not want rules to be applied to them, and it is something that goes against international law. No country has the right to impose unilateral measures,” said Quiñones.

The United States embargo against Cuba prevents US businesses and businesses organised under US law or majority-owned by US citizens from conducting trade with Cuban interests.

It was first implemented by President John F Kennedy who proclaimed an embargo on trade between the US and Cuba in February 1962.

On June 16, 2017, US President Donald Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba. This was further tightened by the Joe Biden Administration.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Quiñones told the Jamaica Observer that there is not much that Cuba can do should the resolution fail again.

“The manipulation of the fight against terrorism for political and electoral purposes is unacceptable and double standards. The greatest act of terrorism committed by Cuba is to help countries in need as an example of solidarity and internationalism. Our medical brigades serve in dozens of countries, as do our education brigades. During COVID-19 [pandemic], Cuba never refused humanitarian aid to any country that requested it — 42 countries and territories were reached by 58 medical brigades,” stated Quiñones.

For almost 50 years Jamaica has received assistance in health and education.

Each year the Jamaica Cuba Friendship Association holds its meeting in April, but for the first time, the meeting was held in October. The meeting on Saturday was aimed at providing an update on what is happening in Cuba and a way for both countries to show solidarity with each other.

Quiñones said the meeting allowed him to update the association on how the embargo is impacting the lives of Cubans.

“We are encouraged by the support of thousands of people around the world, including Jamaica, who have rallied to call on the US Government to end the blockage,” declared Quiñones.