United Nations, United States.- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Wednesday called on the United States to end the nearly 60-year-old blockade of Cuba, a unilateral coercive measure that affects all vital sectors of the economy.

The economic, commercial and financial blockade violates international law and the United Nations Charter, and is a violation of Cuba’s right to interact fully with humanity, Venezuelan Ambassador at the UN Samuel Moncada said on behalf of NAM.

Moncada charged that the direct and indirect damage caused to Cuba by this unjust policy is enormous, as it affects all sectors, including health, nutrition and agriculture, as well as investment, trade, tourism and banking.

The financial sector, he said, has received a significant blow in 2018, considering that dozens of institutions decided to close bank accounts related to Cuban citizens.

In addition, the blockade is the biggest obstacle to greater access to the Internet, to the exchange of ideas and to the development of scientific, sports and cultural relations, he stressed.

This unjust policy goes against Cuba’s objectives to achieve sustainable development and the goals established in the 2030 Agenda.

Moncada recalled that NAM has historically maintained a position of principle rejecting unilateral coercive measures used as a tool of political, economic and financial pressure against States, especially against developing countries.

‘We reaffirm that the extension of the blockade is unjustifiable and does not correspond to our historic time,’ he said.

The Venezuelan ambassador informed that his country will vote at the UN in favor of the resolution presented by Cuba on the need to end the US blockade.

Moncada called on the international community to reject the proposed amendments submitted by the United States, which are intended to divert attention from the issue at hand: the illegal blockade that has been imposed on Cuba for almost 60 years.