The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) replied forcefully to recent statements by Alena Douhan, United Nations Special Rapporteur of United Nations, who, after her visit to Cuba, referred to the "negative repercussions" of international sanctions on the country's economic and social situation.
Through a letter addressed to the leftist official, the organization rejected the claim that the U.S. embargo is the main cause of the crisis facing the Cuban population.
In the document, OCDH stated that "the misery Cuba is experiencing today is due to the failure of the communist political and economic system, not to measures taken by other countries." The organization emphasized that this statement is supported by recent data obtained in the 8th Study on the State of Social Rights in Cuba, the results of which were published in September.
According to that research, only 3% of citizens attribute their difficulties to the United States embargo, while disapproval of the economic and social management of the communist regime stands at around 92%. The observatory also recalled that extreme poverty affects 89% of the population, showing a deep deterioration in all indicators of well-being.
In the letter sent to Douhan, the organization questioned the official narrative of the Cuban dictatorship and pointed out the existence of contradictions in the regime's discourse. "The Cuban government has prioritized the construction of hotels rather than hospitals. Why does the embargo not affect these activities, but, according to the Cuban government, it does affect the purchase of medical supplies and food in the United States or other countries?," OCDH asked.
