Havana, Cuba.-The economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States for more than 50 years ago continues today as the main obstacle in Cuba for the development and progress of a decentralization process.

Bolivian Autonomy Minister, Hugo Siles, states that in addition to the main cause of millions in losses to the Caribbean country, the U.S. blockade constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter and the rights of the peoples.

During a visit to Havana to participate in an International Seminar on Decentralization and Financing for Territorial Development, Siles exclusively spoke with Prensa Latina on the theme of the event and the influence of the blockade on Cuba in that area.

According to the Bolivian minister, that set of U.S. laws has discriminated the Cubans and restricted the economic and commercial activity of the country.

As for decentralization, Siles considered that the reasons for the restriction of that process are focused on the preservation of a greater collective good, the preservation of the Revolution and the Cuban model.

Cuba is currently amid a transformation process and implementation of the economic and social policy guidelines adopted in April 2011.

These changes involve the decentralization of economic management model, updating the planning role, the growth of the non-state sector of the economy and the greater empowerment of local structures.

The U.S. blockade has influenced the development of the organization of the Cuban State and therefore we believe that, once it has been removed, the Caribbean nation could perform some activities more openly, without the restrictions on which its economy has been articulated, Siles said.

According to the official, the siege also has territorial implications, because it is a political fact with extensive and accented economic repercussions.

Siles stressed that due to the influence of the blockade, decision making in Cuba has historically prioritized the conservation of the Revolution heritage and the resistance to an external attack at all times of destabilization and the economic strangulation.