United States embargo against Cuba
An embargo is the prohibition of commerce and trade with a certain country, in order to isolate it and to put its government into a difficult internal situation, given that the effects of the embargo are often able to make its economy suffer from the initiative
What is US Embargo Against Cuba?
The United States Embargo against Cuba is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo partially imposed on Cuba in October 1960. It was enacted after Cuba expropriated the properties of United States citizens and corporations and it was strengthened to a near-total embargo in February 1962.
Legal Points:
The embargo was codified into law in 1992 with the stated purpose of maintaining sanctions on the Castro regime so long as it continues to refuse to move toward democratization and greater respect for human rights. It is entitled the Cuban Democracy Act. In 1996, Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act, which further restricted United States citizens from doing business in or with Cuba, and mandated restrictions on giving public or private assistance to any successor regime in Havana unless and until certain claims against the Cuban government are met. In 1999, U.S. President Bill Clinton expanded the trade embargo even further by ending the practice of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies trading with Cuba. In 2000, Clinton authorized the sale of certain “humanitarian” US products to Cuba.
International Condemnation:
The embargo has been roundly condemned by the most of the international community. It has been advocated that the pro-embargo Cuban-American exiles, whose votes are crucial in Florida, have swayed many politicians to also adopt similar views. The Cuban-American views have been opposed by business leaders whose financial interests prompt them to argue that trading freely would be good for Cuba and the United States.
Despite the existence of the embargo, the United States is the fifth largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba’s imports are from
What did Girija Vyas said recently in relation to this?
During the UN General Assembly held in New York, National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas who had visited the assembly as member of the Indian Parliament and member of the Indian delegation opposed the US embargo on Cuba and endorsed the views of the United Nations on the issue in the General Assembly.
She has said that the nearly five-decade-old United States embargo on Cuba, including its extra-territorial aspects, continues to remain in force. We share the views expressed by the international community in its opposition to the embargo For the last 17 years in a row, the General Assembly, while deliberating this agenda item, has categorically and overwhelmingly rejected the imposition of laws and regulations with extra-territorial impact.
Voting:
The 192-member UN General Assembly had voted with 187 in favour to call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. There were only three votes against and two abstentions.
