SACP stands with Cuban people ahead of UN General Assembly vote calling for end of illegal blockade imposed by US government

2 November 2022

The South African Communist Party (SACP) stands with the people of Cuba and their government ahead of the United Nations General Assembly vote calling for the end of the illegal and criminal blockade imposed by the United States government.

For 30 years, since its first vote in 1992, the UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted against the US’s illegal blockade of Cuba. The blockade, an act of war against the Cuban people, has continuously been imposed, with more stringent measures imposed over time, for over six decades. In doing so, the US government has wantonly disregarded international law by continuously violating the Cuban people’s right to self-determination and their country’s sovereignty.

Due to the illegal blockade’s imposition, the Cuban people have suffered immeasurably, with their country losing over US$154 billion since its illegal imposition, in addition to various human sufferings.

The people of the world have witnessed the humane system of Cuba, with many people, including in Africa, benefitting from Cuban solidarity. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba sent 58 medical brigades to 48 countries, in a long list of solidarity efforts with the people of the world. In contrast, the imperialist US regime blocked Cuba’s access to vital necessities to deal with the virus at home and produce its vaccine.

Despite the long, illegal blockade, the Cuban people have continuously improved their system, and have over the years created healthcare and education systems which are ranked as among the best in the world. Due to the socialist system, which puts people before profit, human life expectancy in Cuba is higher even than that of the imperialist USA, with their environment rated among the cleanest. The socialist system has helped them to better prepare and react to natural disasters, the latest being the devastating Hurricane Ian, unlike in the USA and its territories where the poor are often left to fend for themselves while the capitalists rake in more profits.

The SACP will continue to play its practical role, in collaboration with other solidarity forces in South Africa, Africa and the world to reaffirm its solidarity with the Cuban people. The SACP calls for more voices in defence of the Cuban people’s right to self-determination and their nation’s right to sovereignty. To guarantee its own integrity, the UN must take more practical steps to ensure that the imperialist US regime abides by UN resolutions.

Issued by Solly Mapaila, SACP General Secretary, 2 November 2022