Message from the Associations of Cubans Resident in Canada to the US-Cuba Normalization Conference

 

The Associations of Cubans Resident in Canada appreciate this opportunity to voice our position against the US blockade imposed on Cuba more than fifty years ago. To the organizers, we also appreciate deeply your continued solidarity and support for the just cause of Cuba. Thank you to all the guests and panelists.

Although main stream media have always tried to sell the discourse that Cubans who have immigrated to other countries are against their homeland or the socioeconomic system it is building; it is a fallacy, it is not true, in fact, most of us, all over the world, support and defend Cuba’s sovereignty and dignity. Therefore, together we stand against the US blockade that not only affects negatively our relationship with our families, friends and our country of birth, but also affects us, no matter where we live.

We repudiate the blockade and all the punitive sanctions imposed by the US government in its failed attempt to topple the constitutional government of Cuba and starve its population plaguing with necessities and scarcities every single day. It pains us as much as it pains our families and friends in Cuba.

The blockade hits Cuba where it hurts the most: vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population such as, the sick, the children, the old are suffering the effects of the US siege in their daily lives, especially during these times of pandemic.

The blockade also prevents Cuba from reaching all its potential. All those sanctions are an obstacle for the elemental right of the island state to conduct business with third parties due to their extraterritorial implementation.

The illegal US blockade against Cuba is an aberration, it is the oldest and most comprehensible set of sanctions ever imposed by a country on another. It is the punishment to Cuba for simply not accepting Washington’s mandates, and for exercising its right to self-determination.

It is worth noting that despite all of the above, Cuba is a world referent in education, health care, human development care, just to name a few; aspects in which the blockaders register very poor indexes.

How much more could Cuba have achieved had it not been for the hostility and aggressions of the United Sates? We can only imagine. 

Sisters and brothers, today more than ever we are certain that Cuba will prevail with our solidarity and support, and with the spirit of resistance of its heroic people.

To our beloved Cuba we wish prosperity, progress and peace.

Viva Cuba Libre