La Paz, Bolivia.- The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for more than half a century, as well as the Helms-Burton Act, are measures that attempt to punish the Cuban government and people.

‘The most serious aspect is that this seeks the suffering of a nation (…) it is going to affect the sick, children, the most vulnerable sectors, but that does not matter to U.S. imperialism,’ Argentinean-Bolivian theologian, Alejandro Daussa, told Prensa Latina.

The philosopher also pointed out that these measures, tightened by the different U.S. administrations, affect all sectors in Cuba and therefore the daily life of the people.

Daussa lived in Cuba between 1991 and 2008, where he learned first-hand about the reality of the country and the needs of its nationals during the so-called ‘Special Period’ of survival and resistance after the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

However, the people resisted alongside the historic leaders of the Cuban Revolution and defeated US attempts to destabilize the country, he added.

The Argentinian-Bolivian intellectual also criticized the damage caused by the Helms-Burton Act to companies and countries interested in negotiating with Cuba.

Since its entry into force 23 years ago, with its four Titles, Helms-Burton has codified the blockade imposed by Washington on the island almost six decades ago, although during that period successive U.S. presidents had suspended the effective application of Title III every six months.

As of May 2, the government of President Donald Trump authorized the complete application of Title III, in what Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez described as an attack on international law and sovereignty.