(US) Blockade to Cuba: The day medicines and food were added to the list

When my book on this subject was published back in 1983, in Havana and other capital cities of the world, I could not believe such an implausible issue would have been something we still see nowadays.

It happened on May 14^th 1964, when the US government cancelled the selling of these items to Cuba.

The next day, The New York Times revealed the concern of some sectors within the US on the course of action that government had followed toward the Caribbean nation.

And they did it in a leading article, echoed by the Associated Press (AP), where alarms were raised before the decision adopted by senior officials within the White House of extending the blockade to items such as medicines and food, which were up until then sent to Cuba.

The US policy towards Havana, pointed out the leading article, was demonstrated by the US decision to limit the selling of food and medicines as well as its reprimand to young refugees who attacked Cuban ports and voiced it in triumph in Miami.

The Times stated back then: “Food and medicines had been so far the sole goods that could have been shipped to Cuba without the government’s permission. Specific licenses would be now required to lower shipments.”

This is not the way to win the Cold War against Cuba —stated The Times— or the image the US wants to convey to the world as a humanitarian and magnanimous nation. The US will win no friends in Cuba by making them suffer for lack of medicines.

It was implemented that day one of the greatest violations of the human rights ever, on behalf of democracy and freedom.

It is up to the UNGA to impede the crime does not go unpunished.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz/CubaSí Translation Staff