United Nations, July 7 (Prensa Latina) The UN General Assembly today approved by a large majority the opening of a debate on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
Despite attempts by the US delegation to avoid discussing the issue, the debate received the support of 136 nations, with only nine votes against and 30 abstentions.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez is leading the Cuban delegation at this urgent session, where Havana will present a formal complaint against Washington’s aggressive actions, including the energy blockade that has jeopardized essential services such as health, food, and transportation.
The Cuban complaint comes amid intense diplomatic pressure from the United States to prevent the UN from discussing the effects of the more than 60-year-old economic, commercial and financial blockade.
A State Department cable, signed by Secretary Marco Rubio and leaked to The Nation, urged US ambassadors around the world to prevent the United Nations from addressing the effects of the aggressive economic policy on the Cuban people this Tuesday.
Even with such pressure, the discussion was given the green light and there is already a long list of speakers requesting to speak, as reported in the session.
ft/mar
