BOTSWANA, October 21st, 2016.- In their printed and digital editions the weekly publications “Botswana Guardian” and “The Voice”, today highlighted several of the key aspects of the US blockade against Cuba, which were exposed by the Cuban Ambassador H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Arencibia Corrales in the press conference at the Embassy of Cuba in Botswana and with the participation of various organs of the national press.
Both publications, under the headlines “Cuba rejects US ‘genocidal’ embargo for umpteenth time” and "Cuba urges US to end trade barriers", they offered details of the exchange held by the Cuban diplomatic with correspondents from the said weekly publications, which delved into the reasons that assist the Cuban people to continue their struggle against the blockade, despite the restoration of diplomatic relations, the reopening of embassies in both capitals, the visit of president Obama to Cuba and the measures taken by the administration, although pointing in the right direction, are still very limited and insufficient in terms of scope.
Those articles make clear the position of Cuba in the sense that the blockade is the main obstacle to the full development of the economy and the Cuban people´s socio-economic development, constituting the main impediment in the complex negotiating process underway towards normalization of bilateral relations.
Also, they refer that the Cuban Resolution this year reflects the current state of bilateral relations and recognizes the political will of the US president to work together with Congress and even having asked that instance the lifting of the blockade. However, they referred to the broad executive prerogatives or faculties enjoyed by the US president, which if he would had used them with determination, they had allowed him to further modify the application of the measures and prohibitions in the laws that make up the blockade, although their total elimination requires of congressional approval.
Among other things reflected with great objectivity by both publications, were in regard with significant economic and human damages caused by the blockade to the Cuban people, reflecting the figures given by the Cuban Ambassador, with reference to the Report of Cuba to the UN Secretary General on this issue, dated on June 2016.
They also referred to the high appreciation and gratefulness of Cuba by the overwhelming support from the international community for 24 consecutive years to the Cuban Resolution against the blockade in the UN General Assembly, including Botswana, as well as international solidarity received from various social sectors across the globe, including from the US society, in it just call to demand the cessation of such criminal and genocidal policy against the Cuban people.
The weekly said that Cuba hopes once again to have this year with the support of the international community regarding this matter, in order to obtain the favorable vote of the member states of the UN resolution against the blockade this year, will take place on Wednesday, October 26 within the framework of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
(Cubavsbloqueo-EmbaCuba Botswana)
