Brazil decries US blockade to Cuba

Brazil: The economic, financial and commercial blockade that US has kept for over 50 years against Cuba was decried Friday night by participants to the Contracorriente Ciudad Libre TV program in the Brazilian capital.

The presenter of the program Helena Iono considered retrograde and out of context in this 21st century the coercive measures used by US government against the Cuban people, renewed this week by President Barack Obama for another year.

The Counceller of the Cuban ambassador in Brazil Sergio Martinez said the blockade has not only hindered commercial relations between the Caribbean island and United States but also with third countries in what was considered a real economic war against his country all over the world.

He recalled extraterritorial laws like Helms-Burton allow sanctioning companies and enterprises that enter into trade with the greatest Antilles and made reference to the recent case of the Holland firm Philips that giving in to US pressure breached a contract of medical supply to Cuba and Venezuela.

Brasilia, Prensa Latina