The Brazilian Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, has advocated for the lifting of the economic embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. Vieira expressed his concern about measures that "unjustly penalize the Cuban people," thus hindering the response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by Hurricane Oscar, which recently struck the country, claiming the lives of at least seven people and causing power outages.
In his intervention, Vieira emphasized the need for urgent action, requesting that the United States lift the sanctions, remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and promote respectful and non-interfering dialogue. The embargo imposed since 1961 has significantly restricted trade exchanges, and subsequent laws have even limited food shipments to the country, unless it is for humanitarian aid.
In 2021, the administration of Donald Trump included Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a decision that has been criticized by Vieira and other detractors of the restrictive policies towards the island. During his speech at the UN headquarters in New York, Vieira emphasized that the severe sanctions have worsened the situation in Cuba, affecting its economic development and the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Brazil's call for the lifting of the embargo seeks to alleviate the economic burden that has negatively impacted Cuba for decades. Vieira's request reflects international concern over the humanitarian and social consequences of the restrictive measures imposed on the Caribbean nation.
