U.S. Embargo Hinders Cuba’s Food Supply

The United States’ economic, financial and commercial embargo — which Cuba calls a blockade — has caused the Cuban company Alimport losses of more than $100 million due to the difficulties faced purchasing food from U.S. companies.

This genocidal policy continues to hinder Cuba’s effort to purchase food. Furthermore, any action needed to ensure that these transactions are made in accordance with the norms, channels and practices of standard international trade has not been taken. This situation creates difficult payment conditions for Cuban importers and has also increased warehouse and extended holding costs for Alimport, an importer of food.

Having this revenue available could have permitted the purchase of 337,000 tons of wheat, 451,000 tons of corn or 109,000 tons of chicken for consumption by the Cuban population.

A report from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations on Resolution 64/6 — passed by the United Nations General Assembly and aimed toward putting an end to the inhumane embargo against Cuba — indicates that U.S. affiliates located in third-party countries are prohibited from conducting business transactions with Cuban companies.

The ongoing mergers and mega-mergers of international companies, as well as the strategic alliances on a worldwide scale, in which the U.S. is a prominent participant, reinforce the extra-territorial nature of the embargo.

According to the June 2009 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission, lifting financial and travel restrictions for U.S. citizens would increase the sale of agricultural products to Cuba. The document also points out that the estimated amount from these sales would be between $924 million and $1.2 billion, an equivalent of 64 percent of Cuba’s total agricultural imports.