The U.S. government's blockade policy faces opposition within its own territory

New York, November 1, 2019. The need to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States of America against Cuba, has found within its own territory numerous voices that support this claim.

Despite the marked deterioration imposed by the current U.S. government on its relations with Cuba, representatives of the agricultural, cultural, academic and business sectors have not only rejected this policy which violates international law, but they have also been active in their attempts to exert political influence in the executive and legislative branches at both state and federal levels. Groups such as Engage Cuba, for example, have broadened their reach and diversified on the basis of establishing new state councils in the U.S. territory.

Some examples of opposition to the blockade in the U.S. are:

• On 5 April 2018, the Republican Senator from Arkansas, John Boozman, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade and member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, published an article entitled "Time to expand U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba" on the website for the Washington DC 100 project of the public relations firm Story Partners.
• On 19 April 2018, Democratic Congresswoman for Florida Kathy Castor wrote on Twitter that her hope for the future in Cuba and the U.S. is that the governments listen to persons of both nations who want changes, commitment and greater freedom. The legislator noted: "We are neighbors in spite of everything.”
• On 19 April 2018, the president of Cuba Educational Travel, Collin Laverty, issued a communiqué in which he questioned the blockade policy, the distancing and hostility of President Donald Trump towards Cuba.
• On 23 April 2018, Republican Congressmen Roger Marshall, Rick Crawford and Tom Emmer -from Kansas, Arkansas and Minnesota, respectively- published an article in the digital agricultural media Feedstuffs under the title of “A simple solution could open up a 2 billion dollar market for American farmers.” The publication called on the Donald Trump's government to maximize profits for American farmers and showed the commitment of legislators in supporting the Cuban private sector by using their authority to more widely open the country's doors to Cuban agro-industry. They argued that if the U.S. could sell its products to Cuba, Arkansas' agricultural sales could reach 52 million dollars; Kansas could exceed 55 million dollars, with a 25% increase in wheat sales; and Minnesota could see sales increase to 50 million dollars.
• On 7 June 2018, the Congressional Round Table on commercial relations with Cuba took place, with the participation of U.S. legislators and executives of the Engage Cuba group.
• On 10 June 2018, the 18th Engage Cuba State Council was created in Pennsylvania with the participation of a bipartisan group of state officials, business and agricultural leaders. At that occasion, James Williams, President of the Group, urged Congress to lift the restrictions on Cuba that were so harmful for both the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Cuba.
• On 13 June 2018, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved an amendment to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 in favor of Cuba, a proposal made by Senators Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and John Boozman of Arkansas. The amendment sought to promote funds to increase access to the Cuban market of agricultural products grown in the U.S.
• On 14 June 2018, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) of the U.S. sent a letter to President Donald Trump, to the U.S. Senate and to the House of Representatives demanding the end of the blockade against Cuba.
• On 20 June 2018, Dr. William M. LeoGrande, Professor of Government and Dean Emeritus at the American University School of Public Affairs, delivered his statement to an audience in the U.S. House of Representatives. He acknowledged that the sanctions imposed on Cuba for decades had not been successful and that there was no reason why they shouldn’t have relations with Cuba.
• On 4 March 2019, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) issued a press release criticizing the decision of the Trump government to temporarily suspend Title III. "Trump's foreign policy seems to be aimed at punishing Cuba when it is in its own interest to normalize this relation. At a time when Cuba is going through an important process of gradual domestic reform, the U.S. government should not be increasing hostilities,” stated the press release.
• On 5 March 2019, members of the Cuban Americans for Engagement (CAFÉ) group expressed through a press release their opposition to the decision taken by the U.S. government to initiate the partial suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which is perceived as a gesture of interference and attempts against the sovereignty of the countries involved in the trade dynamics with Cuba.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations