The COVID19 pandemic has exposed the murderous constraints that the criminal US and EU blockade imposes on the people of Cuba. 

The US blockade is the main obstacle preventing Cuba’s purchase of the medicines, equipment and material it requires to confront the Covid19 pandemic. Even charitable donations of medical equipment to Cuba have been intercepted by the US authorities. 

Charitable donations to fund the work of the famous Cuban ‘Henry Reeve’ volunteer medical brigade, fighting the pandemic in 15 countries around the world including Italy, are being intercepted by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control in Washington.

This genocidal blockade is currently being facilitated by the EU through its banking system which refers all transactions, even transactions between EU citizens within EU territory, to Washington for approval. 

Cuba Support Group Ireland’s donations to MediCuba Europa, which sources reagents used in biomedical tests for the Cuban health service, have been intercepted by Washington on three separate occasions in the last 6 months. Such interceptions are contrary to EU banking regulations applicable in every member state. 

Not one single prosecution has been taken against any EU bank for illegally implementing the US blockade of Cuba.

The only logical conclusion from this state of affairs is that the EU is actively supporting the US blockade of Cuba, whilst sanctimoniously condemning it at the UN every autumn.

Cuba Support Group Ireland calls on the President of the EU Commision, Ursula Van Der Leyden, to instigate emergency proceedings against any EU-based bank implementing the genocidal blockade of Cuba. We also call on her to activate the EU payments clearance system to replace the US controlled SWIFT one as a matter of urgency. 

Cuba Support Group Ireland, National Committee. 

6 April 2020.