The Opposition People’s National Party is calling for an end to the United States’ decades-long economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba and expresses full support for the resolution to be presented at the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), urging the same.

Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives Phillip Paulwell expressed, “For more than 60 years, this blockade has stood as one of the most persistent and widely condemned policies in modern international relations. Year after year, during the UN General Assembly’s general debate, nations from every region have reaffirmed their rejection of this cruel and counterproductive policy.

“Rooted in Cold War hostility, the actions of successive United States governments have long outlived any legitimate justification and stand in clear violation of the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, and respect for human rights enshrined in the UN Charter.”

The blockade’s reach extends across every sector of Cuban life, from public health to education, agriculture, and energy. Its intensification in recent years has worsened shortages of food, fuel, and essential medicines, and has crippled Cuba’s access to international credit and trade. The continued inclusion of Cuba on the US list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism further compounds these challenges, obstructing financial transactions and increasing the country’s risk profile in global markets. Multiple UN Human Rights Council special procedures have denounced this designation as politically motivated, unlawful, and incompatible with international law.

Despite these pressures, Cuba has continued to uphold its international obligations and maintain its humanitarian commitments, notably through medical cooperation programmes that have supported healthcare systems across the Global South. The US government’s efforts to discredit and obstruct these missions have been condemned by many as cynical and harmful to global health solidarity.

In welcoming the Government’s decision to reaffirm Jamaica’s support for Cuba at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, the Opposition underscores the importance of maintaining a principled, independent foreign policy guided by international law, respect for sovereignty, and solidarity among nations of the developing world.

The time has come for the United States to heed the call of the global community and end the blockade once and for all. After more than six decades, it has achieved nothing but hardship for ordinary Cubans and discredit for those who continue to defend it.

The Opposition stands in solidarity with the people of Cuba. “We stand in support of the Government in this principled position and urge all nations to vote once again, overwhelmingly and unequivocally in favour of Cuba’s resolution to end the blockade and uphold the enduring values of justice, fairness, and international cooperation,” the party says.