United Nations 2024 vote on ending the US blockade of Cuba
Cuba
Ed Augustin: Biden’s Cuba Policy Leaves the Island in Wreckage The best example of an almost invisible but insidious sanction is designating Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism”. Presented as a benign policy tool to make the world a safer place rather than an arm of economic warfare… Almost overnight the label provoked both global banks and vital exporters to pull out of the Cuban market, according to diplomats and businesspeople on the island. The island had been on the State Department’s terror list before, up until 2015. But since the relisting in 2021 the effects have been fiercer…anti-terrorism and money laundering rules have been tightened. “Over-compliance” has also increased as banks try to dodge multi-billion dollar fines from an increasingly emboldened Treasury Department.
For many, power outages can now last more than 12 hours a day. With pharmacy shelves barren, the price of medicines on the black market are beyond the reach of much of the population. Hundreds of thousands now live without running water. Government food rations—a lifeline for the country’s poor—are fraying. Domestic agriculture, which has always been weak, has cratered in recent years for lack of seeds, fertilizer, and petrol, forcing the state to import 100% of the basic subsidized goods. Vulnerable groups—older people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic illnesses—are most affected. Worst of all, things have been bad for so many years that people have lost hope.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez speech at UN General Assembly I dedicate these first words to ratify Cuba’s solidarity and support to the brotherly people of Palestine, victim of more than 75 years of colonial occupation, flagrant violations to their legitimate rights as a nation, submitted to cruelty, aggressions, collective punishments and apartheid. It is an unacceptable tragedy, plain for all to see; it’s a wound in human consciousness. During the last eleven months, the Israeli army has massacred more than 40 thousand civilians. That indiscriminate and disproportionate massacre has killed more boys and girls than men and women. They die with the complicity and the weapons contributed by the United States, with the complicit silence of others. We pay tribute to the more than 220 aid workers of this Organization who were also killed. Israel, with the complicity of the United States, has placed the world before an imminent risk of a major world conflict. The irresponsible aggressiveness against Lebanon, Iran and the Middle East peoples will have consequences that are hard to predict.
Only during the last four years, the collective patrimony of the richest persons in the world has grown by around 114%, while 5 billion human beings continue to live in poverty…. Everything confirms the thesis stated by President Fidel Castro Ruz in 1992: “An important biological species is at the risk of disappearing…: humankind.” It could only be ultimately saved by overcoming imperialism and capitalism and, in this process, the foundation of a new international order; a new “world balance.”
The US blockade on Cuba “It is accompanied by the most ferocious disinformation and slanderous campaign, perennial attempts to interfere in Cuba’s internal affairs and the complicit tolerance of groups which, from the US territory, perpetrate violent and terrorist acts against Cuba.
Internationalist 360: Aleida Guevara to the Lebanese: We Must Confront, Crush This Enemy To my dear Lebanese brothers and sisters, I send you a heartfelt embrace filled with love from around the world. You are not alone.” “We are seeking ways to support you… to understand how we can stand by you more effectively and draw closer together.” “We hope for your active involvement, ensuring that it’s not just Hezbollah standing alone, but that all of you unite as one.” “A response is imperative… You must carry enough strength to defeat this enemy once and for all.” She highlighted that the Lebanese people must be steadfast in their struggle and “move forward with all the love and courage we possess as people to combat such a brutal enemy – an enemy that deserves no respect and does not value human life.” Aleida Guevara, revolutionary leader Ernesto Che Guevara’s daughter, strongly condemned on Friday the terrorist war imposed on Syria during the past years, SANA reported. Guevara hailed the heroism of the Syrian army and reaffirmed her support for the Syrian people in their struggle against the Israeli occupation to liberate the occupied Syrian Arab Golan, as well as the liberation of all occupied Arab territories.
Mariela Castro Espín: The Pain is Immense, and We will Continue in the Struggle Together with You She is a deputy in the National Assembly of People’s Power and well-known fighter for sexual rights. She posted a message on the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary Nasrallah: “The continuity of genocide, the cynical discourse of the Zionist butchers about peace and the hypocrisy of the U.S. government that sponsors them is unacceptable…The martyrdom of the great strategist Qasem Solimani strengthened the axis of resistance. The cowardly assassination of the top political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniya, demonstrated the heroic capacity of his militancy…Culture, humanism, ethics and wisdom characterize Hezbollah and all insurgent organizations that heroically confront the state terrorism of the US, Israel and their miserable allies. There are no alternatives left for peace, but to keep on fighting until final victory, which is also the only way to honor the martyrs. The pain is immense, and we will continue in the struggle together with you.”
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Venezuela
Venezuela Condemns Nasrallah Assassination, Lebanon Bombings President Maduro expressed the solidarity of the Venezuelan government and people with the peoples of Palestine and Lebanon. He denounced Netanyahu as a “murderer like Hitler” and blasted “cowardly” world leaders for staying silent. “The attack was ordered from Washington, and in the headquarters of the United Nations the cowards of the world remain silent, but no one will silence peoples in rebellion.” “I call on the peoples of the world to raise their voices and show solidarity with the Palestinian people, with the people of Lebanon,” he added.
Orinoco Tribune: Venezuela: Iran Has Invoked Its Right to Self-Defense “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is closely following recent events in the Middle East that have prompted action by the Islamic Republic of Iran, invoking its right to self-defense, as established in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, in response to the threats and crimes against humanity committed by the Netanyahu regime against Palestine, Lebanon, and the Iranian people, including violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity and the murder of innocent civilians, as well as political and military leaders of these countries.
The inaction of the United Nations Security Council, paralyzed by the veto exercised in a complicit manner by the United States of America, has prevented Netanyahu from stopping his aggression and his failure to comply with international law, which continues to be the greatest threat to security in the region. It is urgent that Israel’s escalation of war throughout the region be stopped and that its responsibilities for the war crimes committed by its government be determined…”
“Venezuela ahead” billboard on Wyoming-Colorado border Anti-Venezuelan immigrant propaganda in Wyoming.
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Bolivia
Tom Whitney: In Bolivia Gigantic March Reveals Socialist Divide, Elections are Ahead The Movement against Socialism (MAS) Party, the party of both presidents [Luis Arce and Evo Morales], has split into two warring factions. Arce served for 12 years under Morales as minister of the economy and finances. Morales served three presidential terms, from 2006 to 2019. Meetings and attempts at dialogue in La Paz were inconclusive. Evo revived an old demand, insisting that Arce change his “corrupt, drug-trafficking, and racist” ministers if he wants to continue governing.” He accused Arce of “selling out to the rightwing, seeking to diminish the state, and following recommendations of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.” President Arce blames Evo Morales’s ambition: “[T]he personal and individual appetite of one person cannot drag the Bolivian people into again violating the Constitution.” Arce’s approval rating fell from 42% to 22% between January and September, according to one poll. “The main reason is the economic; basically the increase in prices,” the report says.
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Events:
October 6: Cubana Flight 455: Chronicle of October 6 (webinar) With film director Enrique Berumen García on his film. Other guest speakers to talk about the blockade against Cuba and taking Cuba off the SSOT (State Sponsors of Terrorist) list. Based on recently declassified documents, Cubana 455 analyzes the sabotage of a Cuban civilian plane, over the coast of Barbados, on October 6, 1976. The documentary shows the families of the victims and how they have survived for more than forty- five years waiting for a seed of justice.
October 9 NYC: Film Showing Cubana 455, with Enrique Beruman Garcia
October 13: Attempted Coups in Venezuela and Honduras: Their Meaning for Nicaragua and Beyond Speakers: Francisco Dominguez, senior lecturer at Middlesex University, head of the Research Group on Latin America; National Secretary of Venezuela Solidarity Campaign; Adrienne Pine, Associate Professor (retired), American University; board member of Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE)
October 14: Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition monthly zoom meeting, 2:30 PM ET. Email NicaraguaSolidarityCoalition@gmail.com in advance to request Zoom access.
October 24: Analyzing Venezuela’s Elections: What do the Polls Really Say? Featuring Oscar Schemel of Hinterlaces We’ll discuss the electoral outcome and the broader context of public opinion within Venezuelan society, including socioeconomic, political and cultural elements that motivated the vote; trends in political participation; and popular communal organization.
January 28-31: Havana, Cuba: VI International Conference For World Balance This conference cultivates partnerships and formulates actionable strategies to propel us towards a more equitable and just global community. Organised by the Office of the Martí Program and co-sponsored by UNESCO and Soka Gakkai International.
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Delegations to Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua:
Bolivia
Jan 25 – Feb 3, 2025: Bolivia, 20 Years of Popular Democracy and Indigenous Self-Determination
Cuba
November 10-22: Cuban Culture, Ecology, and Resilience
December 1-9: National Single Payer: Invitation To Join Our Delegation To Cuba
January 26, 2025 to February 4, 2025: Visit Cuba with the Center for Global Justice
Witness for Peace delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Nicaragua Casa Ben Linder 2024
Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
November 8-17 2024: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
February 2025: The Bird Brigade: Birding in Solentiname Arquipelago
March 2025: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
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This is also available at ChicagoALBASolidarity.org. If you have events to publicize or find helpful articles for readers on the ALBA countries you can post them on Facebook here: Venezuela; Nicaragua; Bolivia; Latin America in general (here or here) Or send them to venezuelaweekly@afgj.org or stansfieldsmith100@gmail.com.
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