Genocide on the Cuban people

Her Excellency Ambassador Olga Chamero Trias, the first resident Ambassador of Cuba to St Vincent and the Grenadines has described the United States of America’s embargo on her country as “genocide.”

She was speaking at the embassy compound at Ratho Mill last Friday.

October 20 is a special day on the Cuban calendar. That is the day of Cuban Culture.

However, Trias seized the opportunity to focus on what she cited as the “illegal” blockade on her country which she summed up as worth US$86 billion. {{more}}

Trias chided the American authorities and especially current president George Bush for unveiling plans aimed at tightening the blockade.

Trias is also worried that according to secret plans by the US government, military action and assassinating Cuban president Fidel Castro are on the agenda.

Trias is paying close attention to the vote at the United Nations slated for November 8.

The Cuban Ambassador looked at the loss to the Cuban economy as a result of the blockade and for her imposition of the blockade has run from the “divine to the ridiculous.”

Trias noted that the resolution on the Cuban embargo has been “condemned” by all countries. And for her: “it is important that the international community know the truth of the blockade.”

‘This is a struggle not only of Cuba, but also for countries that want to be independent,” Trias pointed out.

The Cuban ambassador is not allowing the blockade to dampen her spirit or that of the Cuban people. And she noted the advance “inspite of the blockade.”

For in her words, the Cubans are a resilient and creative people and they have means of getting around any obstacle that may be put in their way.

The blockade, imposed since 1962 has been described as the longest such method of sanction imposed on any country. Trias described it as aiming to “destroy the Cuban Revolution and punishing the people for supporting the Cuban Revolution.”

Trias is not expecting that the blockade would be lifted anytime soon, but she is optimistic that the time would come when the measure would have no meaningful effect.

Sounding sometimes peeved, Trias pointed to losses to both countries from the blockade. She cited the loss of royalties to Cuban artists and musicians because America would not allow any money acquired on their soil to be transferred to Cuba.

And even third countries are suffering as a result of the blockade.

Trias is hoping that a “realistic US administration, who would take into consideration the interest of the American people” would see the rationale in ending the blockade.

“One day we have to sit down and discuss, provided there is no pre-condition,” Trias pointed out.

The Cuban ambassador used the opportunity to highlight the benefits of the Cuban revolution. She expressed happiness with the recovery of President Fidel Castro, and the support from the younger generation of Cubans

“We are an organized community,” Trias added:

As far as she was concerned, Cubans would not be giving up the revolution.

The worst is over. We are not begging any more. We want the blockade to be lifted, but not at the cost of being a neo-colony,” Trias stated.