For an end to the blockade against Cuba and to the energy crisis affecting the Cuban People

The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) expresses its strongest rejection of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba, a policy of aggression that has persisted for more than six decades, constitutes a violation of the principles of international law, and seriously affects the human rights of the Cuban people.

Over the past year, the intensification of this policy has exacerbated the economic and social difficulties facing Cuba, with direct consequences for the living conditions of millions of people. Financial restrictions and difficulties in accessing technologies, medicines, food, raw materials, and resources essential for development are hindering the country’s efforts to ensure the well-being of its population.

The energy blockade against Cuba is a source of particular concern, given the serious and profound humanitarian impact it is having on the island. Restrictions on access to fuel are affecting hospitals, water supply, food production and preservation, transportation, education, and other activities essential to daily life.

The consequences are felt most severely by children, adolescents, young people, the sick, older adults, and the most vulnerable sectors of society. The cross-cutting impact of these measures, their extraterritorial scope, and their resulting systematic and cumulative effects demonstrate the inhumane and genocidal nature of this policy.

The World Federation of Democratic Youth considers it unacceptable that the legitimate aspirations of younger generations to live in peace, fully develop their potential, and build a dignified future marked by social justice are being undermined by a policy that is both coercive and petty. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Cuban youth and people, and recognize their right to determine their own destiny in a sovereign manner, free from interference or unilateral coercive measures.

We therefore denounce, in the strongest and most unequivocal terms, that in the contest of the votes to be held today at the United Nations, it is unacceptable to maintain the U.S. government’s economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba—a criminal policy that suffocates the Cuban people and violates the most basic human rights; we demand an immediate end to this unilateral coercive measure; an end to the energy blockade and Cuba’s removal from the arbitrary list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism; as well as an end to all actions aimed at stifling the Cuban economy and collectively punishing its population.

WFDY calls on its member organizations, democratic and progressive youth groups, and youth movements around the world to step up in their efforts to denounce injustices, mobilize, and show international solidarity with Cuba, and to demand respect for its sovereignty and independence.