OECS issues strong condemnation of US decision to step up political and economic pressure on Cuba

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States has condemned the Donald Trump Administration in Washington for its decision to bring more political and economic pressure on Cuba and called for a full lifting of the decades old embargo on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean country.

In a statement issued from the OECS Secretariat following a special meeting in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. the OECS leaders "condemns the recent decision by the United States Government to intensify the application of the Helms-Burton Act; and reiterated the call which has received global endorsement, for the embargo against Cuba to be lifted in its entirety."

The statement noted the "renewed intensification in the application of the Helms-Burton Act by the United States Government through its decision to lift the suspension of Article III of the Act for a period of thirty days from March 19 - April 17, 2019 and pointed out that the lifting of the suspension of Article III of the Act will make it possible for lawsuits to be filed against Cuban entities by United States claimants whose properties were nationalized during the Cuban Revolution."

The OECS leaders expressed concern that this decision by the United States "constitutes a tightening of the economic and financial embargo against Cuba; and that the threat of lawsuits by United States entities and persons will serve as a deterrent to international companies doing business in Cuba."

The sub-regional leaders said they are "convinced that the maintenance by the United States of the economic and financial embargo against Cuba undermines the stability, peace and security of the Caribbean region."