The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects in the strongest terms the new escalation in the US behaviour against Cuba.
Statement by H.E. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba.
The US State Department announced today the decision to allow, as from March 19 this
year, the filing of lawsuits before US courts under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act only
against Cuban companies included in the List of Restricted Entities issued by that
government on November of 2017, which was updated one year later. This arbitrary
and illegitimate list, intended to tighten the blockade and expand its extraterritorial
effects, forbids US citizens from engaging in direct financial transactions with the
aforementioned entities.
The announcement made by the US State Department also indicated that it would
suspend only for 30 days the possibility to initiate legal action with the same purposes
against other Cuban entities or foreign companies which maintain commercial or
economic relations with Cuba.
Since its entry into force in 1996, the Helms-Burton Act has sought to universalize the
economic blockade through brutal and illegal pressures exerted by the United States
against third countries, their governments and companies. It is intended to suffocate
the Cuban economy and generate or increase shortages among the population with the
purpose of imposing in Cuba a government that serves the interests of the US.
Given the illegitimate character of the goals they pursue, which are contrary to
International Law, the Helms-Burton Act and the blockade arouse universal rejection,
which has been reiterated for almost three decades at the most important regional and
international fora. The most recent example of that was the United Nations General
Assembly meeting held on November 1, when said policy was rejected through 10
consecutive votes, thus leaving the US in complete isolation.
Title II of the Helms-Burton Act states that the overthrowing of the revolutionary
government, the subsequent tutelage by a US interventor and the ultimate
establishment of a counterrevolutionary government subordinated to Washington
would unequivocally pursue the return or compensation to former owners for all the
properties they or their descendants might claim, regardless of whether or not they were
US citizens at the moment when nationalizations took place or the fact that they
abandoned them. During all that period, the economic blockade would continue to be
fully implemented.
Consequently, Cubans would be forced to return, reimburse or pay to US claimants for
the house where they live, the area on which their communities are built, the arable
land where they farm their products, the school where their children are educated, the
hospital or polyclinic where they receive medical assistance, the place where their
workplace is located or where they have a private business, and also for subsidized
services such as electricity, water, and communications enjoyed by the population.
This is an aspiration that can only be conceived by the minds of those who identify
Cuba s a colonial possession. According to the Helms-Burton Act, the economic
blockade would be lifted only when that ambition is fulfilled.
This law relies on two fundamental lies: the notion that nationalizations carried out soon
after the triumph of the Revolutionary were illegitimate or inappropriate and that Cuba is
a threat to the US national security.
Cuban nationalizations were carried out in accordance with the law, strictly abiding by
the Constitution and in conformity with International Law. All nationalizations included
processes of fair and appropriate compensation, something that the US government
refused to consider. Cuba reached and honored global compensation agreements with
other nations which are today investing in Cuba, such as Spain, Switzerland, Canada,
United Kingdom, Germany and France.
The real threat against regional peace and security are the irresponsible declarations
and actions of the US government as well as the destabilizing plans against Latin
America and the Caribbean aimed at pursuing the stated purpose of imposing the
Monroe Doctrine.
The Reaffirmation of Cuban Dignity and Sovereignty Act of December 24, 1996, states
that the Helms-Burton Act is illegal, inapplicable and has no legal value or effect
whatsoever. It considers null and void any claim under that law by any natural or
juridical person.
According to that law, claims for compensation for nationalized properties could be part
of a process of negotiation on the based on equality, mutual respect between the
governments of Cuba and the United States, and be “reviewed together with the
indemnifications the Cuban State and people are entitled to as a result of the damages
caused by the blockade and aggressions of every sort, of which the US government is
responsible”. It also makes it clear that those who resort to procedures or mechanisms
under the Helms-Burton Act to the detriment of others shall be excluded from possible
future negotiations.
The Cuban Government reiterates to all economic partners and foreign companies
operating in Cuba that full guarantees will be granted to foreign investments and joint
projects. Article 28 of the Cuban Constitution, which was ratified by an overwhelming
majority on February 24, 2019, also recognizes those guarantees, which are also
included in Law No. 118 on Foreign Investments of March 29, 2014.
Today’s decision imposes additional obstacles to our economic development and
progress goals, but the United States will keep on failing to achieve its main purpose of
submitting by force the sovereign will of Cubans and our determination to build
socialism. The majority feelings of the peoples of Cuba and the United States in favor of
improving relations and establishing a civilized and respectful coexistence shall prevail.
Havana, March 4, 2019.
Information:
http://www.minrex.gob.cu/es/cuba-strongly-rejects-new-aggressive-escalation-united- states
