New York City Council introduces resolution against blockade of Cuba
Washington, Oct 17 (Latin Press) Members of the New York City Council today introduced a resolution calling on the United States Government to lift the blockade against Cuba and travel restrictions to the island.
Democratic councilmen Ydanis Rodriguez and Inez Barron joined international human rights advocates on the steps of U.S. City Hall this morning to announce the presentation of that measure, which is also sponsored by their colleague James G. Van Bramer.
We need to end this archaic Cold War Era embargo (blockade) that has impacted people, not the government, as it was originally intended. We must end the Cuban embargo and the travel ban NOW,” Rodriguez posted on Twitter along with images of this Thursday’s event.
The resolution introduced today, number 1092 of 2019, according to the Council’s digital page, demands that the fence imposed almost 60 years ago be lifted, ‘in order to facilitate the re-establishment of bilateral relations between the two sovereign nations,’ the councilmen pointed out in a communiqué.
This would allow cultural expansion and educational exchanges, as well as scientific cooperation and the creation of trade agreements and treaties, they said.
According to its sponsors, the document also seeks Congressional approval of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, which would eliminate prohibitions limiting visits by U.S. citizens and residents, and restrictions on financial transactions related to stays on the island.
The text recalls that on December 17, 2014, the administration of former President Barack Obama (2009-2017) announced its intention to normalize relations and restore diplomatic ties with the neighboring nation, including the expansion of new travel and trade regulations.
It also regrets that last June Donald Trump’s executive rescinded the American people-to-people group trips to the West Indian nation, and criticizes the imposition of restrictions on the amount of remittances Cuban Americans can send to family members.
The text presented at the New York Council states that, according to a UN resolution, the blockade on Cuba inhibits collaboration between the two countries in a number of key areas including education, cultural exchanges, scientific research, environmental protections and medical care.
It also points out that most of the world’s nations, and most of the people in the United States, oppose economic, commercial and financial encirclement.
Written by Radio Grito de Baire
