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10/27/09 - WOLA (Washington, DC) - Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and
Social and Economic Justice in Latin America

Washington, DC

U.N. Vote to Condemn Cuba Embargo Isolates U.S. in Hemisphere
Tomorrow, the United Nations General Assembly will likely vote
overwhelmingly to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba for an 18th
consecutive year. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) strongly
applauds this statement from the international community and the nations of
Latin America.

For the first time, the United States will defend the embargo donning the
title of the only nation in the Western Hemisphere without formal diplomatic
relations with Cuba. In May of this year, long-time U.S. ally El Salvador
restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, leaving the U.S. as the only
country in the hemisphere that has yet to do so. Strategic U.S. partners,
Mexico, Brazil and Colombia maintain full diplomatic relations with Cuba and
have consistently opposed the embargo vis-à-vis regional forums including
the Organization of American States, the Rio Group and MERCOSUR.

"While condemnation of the embargo is not a new message from Latin America,
the unanimity and frequency with which the embargo is denounced reminds us
that it remains a significant irritant in U.S-Latin America relations," said
WOLA Program Director, Geoff Thale.

The Obama Administration has taken initial steps to change U.S. policy
toward Cuba, including removing restrictions on travel to Cuba by Cuban
Americans and restarting talks with Cuban officials on migration and the
resumption of direct mail service between the U.S and Cuba. Yet, in the U.N.
Secretary General's 2009 report on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, many Latin
American governments call on the United States to take greater action.

The Government of Brazil "urges all sides to work towards expanding these
initiatives to bring about real change for the Cuban people, who suffer the
most from the blockade. Direct dialogue with no preconditions should be
pursued." While the Mexican Government "underlines that this type of measure
has serious humanitarian consequences that are contrary to international
law..."

"Earlier this year at the Summit of the Americas, President Obama spoke of
the progress that can be made when our hemisphere's leaders ‘break free of
stale debates' in regards to U.S. relations with Latin America, said Thale.
"It is time to demonstrate a commitment to this important principle and
shift U.S. policy toward Cuba into a new era."

Contact:
Geoff Thale, Program Director
(202) 797-2171