MALAYSIA’S PRINCIPLED STAND AGAINST US BLOCKADE ON CUBA HAILED BY HAVANA - CUBAN AMBASSADOR

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Cuba has expressed its gratitude to Malaysia for its consistent and principled support in opposing the decades-long United States (US) blockade against the Caribbean nation, calling it a historic gesture of solidarity and friendship.

Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Yadira Ledesma Hernandez said Malaysia’s firm stance reflects its longstanding commitment to uphold international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.’

She said Malaysia’s voice of support at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) each year demonstrates its solidarity with Cuba and its commitment to defending the rights of the Global South.

“As the Malaysian authorities themselves affirm, it is a matter of principle for Malaysia to condemn the application of unilateral coercive measures and demand respect for international law.

“Malaysia has provided Cuba with invaluable and historic support in its demand for the elimination of the unjust blockade,” she told Bernama.

Her remarks came as the UNGA state members overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an end to the decades-long US embargo against Cuba on Wednesday.

The resolution – titled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba – was adopted by 165 votes in favour, including by Malaysia, seven against, and twelve abstentions.

This year marked the 33rd time the proposal has been presented before the 193-member Assembly.

Elaborating on the development, Ledesma said the result demonstrated the majority of UN state members are against US-imposed sanctions, which, for over six decades, represent the most unjust, severe and extended system of unilateral coercive measures ever applied against any country, and that the policy remains the principal obstacle to Cuba’s socio-economic development.

She also cited the severe humanitarian and economic toll of the embargo, which caused over US$7.5 billion in losses in the past year alone, bringing cumulative damages to more than US$170 billion.

“The blockade affects all sectors of the economy, and the human cost is incalculable. These coercive measures depress the economy, create material shortages and damage public services, with the declared objective of destabilising society,” she said.

Despite the challenges, she said Cuba continues to rely on resilience, creativity and cooperation with countries that reject the extraterritorial effects of the blockade and continue to trade with the island nation.

“The world has witnessed that the US stands isolated in its eagerness to impose its imperialist policy against a sovereign state like Cuba,” she added.

According to the ambassador, Malaysia and Cuba, which mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, share the aspiration to deepen trade and cooperation in various sectors, despite the persistent effects of the US blockade.

--  BERNAMA