Dear High Representative Josep Borrell,
We, the Members of the Group of Friendship and Solidarity with the People of Cuba in the European Parliament, would like to raise our voices against Trump Administration´s Decision to include Cuba on the list of states that sponsor terrorism.
This last-minute measure adopted by the Trump administration is an act of gratitude to the radical groups of Cuban-Americans living in the U.S. who oppose the government of the island and represents a new attack against the Cuban government. Therefore, we share the regrets you have expressed publically regarding Trump's decision. We agree that this measure aims to create many difficulties for the Cuban people and for the trade and economic relationship between the European Union and Cuba.
During the last four years of Trump's administration, the United States has applied more than 240 sanctions against Cuba, and has included in its "black lists" more than 200 companies and institutions of the island, as part of the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed since 1962. Moreover, this final measure, which includes severe limits on foreign investment, intensifies the crisis generated by decades of sanctions, blockade and attacks on the island’s government. According to data presented by the Cuban government in its latest report to the United Nations, from April 2019 to March 2020, the blockade has caused losses to Cuba of more than 5.57 billion dollars.
We urge the Democratic administration headed by Joe Biden to return to the normalization of relations with Cuba, recovering and following up the steps implemented since 2014 during the Administration Obama, and eliminated by Trump.
In this scenario, we strongly believe the EU must continue to promote dialogue, cooperation, political openness and mutual understanding between the EU and Cuba.
We therefore urge you to raise this issue and the urgency to eliminate the economic and commercial blockade established against Cuba in the course of your contacts with President Biden and the new US administration.
Yours sincerely,
The Members of the Group of Friendship and Solidarity with the People of Cuba in the European Parliament