Cuban Foreign Minister and US Congressional Delegation: Witnessed Firsthand the Impact of US Sanctions on the Cuban Population

Original article: Canciller de Cuba y visita de congresistas de EEUU: Comprobaron «de primera mano» el impacto de las sanciones estadounidenses sobre la población

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomed a delegation from the US House of Representatives to Havana, who visited the island from July 9 to July 13.

The delegation consisted of Teresa Leger Fernández from New Mexico, Delia Catalina Ramírez from Illinois, Maxine Elizabeth Dexter from Oregon, and Mark Pocan from Wisconsin, all Democrats.

According to a statement from the Cuban Presidency, «the congress members shared their experiences in Cuba while visiting various sites in the capital and interacting with a diverse representation of society, which allowed them to witness the harmful effects of the economic blockade.»

«Discussions also took place regarding the potential for a respectful relationship between the two countries,» the official note from the Cuban government added.

In this context, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez emphasized that «the US congress members confirmed, during their visit to Cuba and through their firsthand exchanges, the severe collective punishment the US government imposes on the Cuban people.»

«They have witnessed the inhumane impact of the genocidal policy designed from South Florida and enacted by the Secretary of State. As they themselves acknowledge, Cuba is not a threat; the blockade is,» Rodríguez added.

Meanwhile, according to international media reports, after completing their visit and returning to their country, the US legislators released a joint statement calling on the President and Congress to «lift the economic sanctions» against the island, alongside opening «serious and comprehensive negotiations» with the Cuban government to «promote bilateral trade, respect for human rights, and address the crisis faced by the population.»

The visit of the congress members coincided with a resurgence of the blockade imposed by the Trump administration against Cuba. Just days ago, the State Department announced new sanctions, this time targeting Cuban state enterprises in the energy, transportation, and foreign trade sectors. The Ministry of Tourism of the island was also sanctioned, as reported by El Ciudadano. Read more:

US Tightens Blockade Against Cuba and Imposes Sanctions on the Ministry of Tourism and State Enterprises in Energy, Transportation, and Foreign Trade