Original article: “Comienza a medirse en vidas”: México denuncia en la ONU el impacto mortal del bloqueo de EE.UU. contra Cuba
The delegation from Mexico raised its voice at the United Nations (UN) to highlight the fatal impact of the economic blockade imposed by the United States (US) on Cuba for over sixty years.
Ambassador Héctor Vasconcelos condemned that this unilateral blockade «is now measured in lives lost», as it causes preventable deaths due to the lack of access to critical medications and treatments for the island’s population. With a speech that interwove history and humanitarian urgency, the Mexican diplomat demanded the immediate end of sanctions that, he warned, undermine the most basic principles of international law.
In his address to the General Assembly, Vasconcelos recalled his country’s historical stance, which during the 1960s opposed Cuba’s expulsion from the Organization of American States (OAS) as an unacceptable interference in internal affairs.
«We defended then what we defend today, that it is up to the Cuban people alone to decide their destiny free of external pressures and impositions«, he emphasized, according to La Jornada. This position, he underscored, is not circumstantial but a profound conviction that drives Mexico to reaffirm its «historic and consistent position against the economic, commercial, and financial embargo«.
The Mexican diplomat described the punitive measures imposed by Washington as contrary to peaceful coexistence and the multilateral order, which should be based on the legal equality of all states. He stated that the full exercise of Cuban sovereignty necessitates the immediate lifting of sanctions, as these not only violate international law but also hinder any possibility of normal development for the Caribbean nation.
Children are Dying in Cuba Due to Lack of Medical Supplies
At this point, Vasconcelos addressed the direct impact of the restrictions on the island’s most vulnerable sectors, noting that the effects of the blockade can no longer be measured in financial terms, but rather in loss of human lives.
«When unilateral measures prevent timely access to medications, delay thousands of surgeries, or limit humanitarian aid, the impact shifts from mere numbers to being quantified in lives«, he asserted.
In his denunciation, he focused on children, warning that «boys and girls are dying because doctors lack access to medical supplies«, resulting in a doubling of the infant mortality rate and a decline in childhood cancer survival.
Mexico’s position at the UN also included a call for Washington to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Vasconcelos explained that this designation exacerbates difficulties in financial transactions and international trade, further deepening the isolation already caused by the blockade.
Before the General Assembly, he reaffirmed that the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum will maintain its policy of solidarity with Havana, continuously sending food, essentials, and critical supplies to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Finally, the diplomat reminded that the UN has spoken out against this embargo on 33 occasions, demonstrating the overwhelming rejection by the international community. He urged member states to foster understanding and cooperation so that Cuba can fully integrate into the international community without restrictions.
Fundación Robert A. Paneque
