Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío has denounced the statements made by the United States promising a series of supplies to families in eastern Cuba affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“With proverbial hypocrisy, the US government promises to send a few beans, rice, and canned goods to a group of Cubans in the eastern provinces, including rechargeable light bulbs, while subjecting the entire country to a ruthless economic war that includes fuel shortages,” the deputy minister denounced on his Facebook profile.
The press release published by the US State Department announces the recently formed partnership with the Catholic Church and Caritas, which would be responsible for delivering the additional $6 million in aid to the Cuban people.
The statements portray Cuba as a regime that must accept the conditions imposed for the arrival of these resources, emphasizing the need to monitor where the promised products are delivered.
Cassío denounced these intentions, explaining that if they truly wanted to help the Cuban people, they should take a stand and lift the sanctions imposed on Cuba, as well as remove the economic measures that hinder the country’s development. “They apply coercive economic measures that exceed $5 billion annually, damaging food production, electricity generation, health services, water supply, and transportation, among other things,” the official commented.
The new maneuver announced by the United States “promises $6 million worth of products priced exorbitantly in order to carry out their dirty political business,” Cassío explained in his publication. Meanwhile, the tightening of the blockade, preventing oil from entering the country and the tariff threats against countries that wish to sell fuel to Cuba, exacerbates the country’s already complex situation, particularly in the energy generation sector.
“If their representatives were honest, they would mention the clean and effective track record of Cuban authorities in the distribution of foreign humanitarian aid, which has been convincingly attested to by United Nations agencies and the many governments that have provided honest and ethical assistance for decades,” the Deputy Minister stated in his message.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel affirmed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States under conditions of respect. The president made the statement during a press conference on Thursday to explain the country’s current energy situation, which has become more complex due to US pressure to curb oil imports to Cuba. Despite the challenges, he informed the nation that the government is working to minimize the effects of this aggression and revitalize the economy.
IMAGE CREDIT: The new initiative announced by the United States “promises $6 million worth of products priced exorbitantly in order to conduct dirty political business,” Cassío explains in his post. Photo: U.S. Embassy in Havana, seen from the Tribuna Antimperialista Photo by EFE
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
