Cuba highly values Vietnam’s support against blockade, embargo

Hanoi (VNA) – Within the framework of the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations, Cuba plans to present a draft resolution asking the US to lift its economic blockade against Cuba. On this occasion, the Vietnam News Agency interviewed Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera on the impact of the US policy of unilateral embargo, as well as on Vietnam’s support to the Cuban people.

On the US recent tightening of its economic, commercial and financial embargo, the diplomat affirmed that the harsh policies of the US are hindering Cuba’s economic development, including the realisation of its socio-economic plan for 2019, as well as the completion of the sustainable development goals. Within only one year from April 2018, Cuba’s economy suffered losses totaling over 4 billion USD as a result of the US policy of embargo, she said.

The Cuban diplomat opposed the US recent decision to fully impose Article III of the Helms-Burton Act that allows US citizens to file lawsuits against foreign companies or individuals related to the confiscation of their assets by the Cuban government. Cuba is now facing a scarcity of fuel as a result of the intensified embargo from the US side, she added.

On the relations of solidarity and friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, Ambassador Torres Rivera affirmed that Vietnam always stands side by the side with Cuba in the struggle against the blockade and embargo, stressing that the heartfelt and practical help from Vietnam to the Cuban people is extremely valuable, especially in the current time of hardships. She highlighted the fact that at the high-level session of the UN General Assembly on September 28, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called for an immediate removal of the unilateral embargo which runs counter to the international law against Cuba.

According to the diplomat, during her Cuba visit in July, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh also affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will continue supporting the people of the Caribbean country and demand for an end to the blockade and embargo. The ambassador expressed her belief that Vietnam will vote in support of the draft resolution on the need to remove the economic, commercial and financial embargo of the US against Cuba at the coming session of the UN General Assembly.

She further said that many countries, individuals, scholars and international organisations have voiced their opposition against the tightening of the economic embargo against Cuba, adding that she believed Cuba will continue enjoying support from countries at the UN in calling on the US to lift its blockade an embargo at an early date.

Over the past nearly six decades, the policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade and embargo unilaterally imposed by the US has causes losses totaling nearly 139 billion USD for the Cuban economy./.