US activists called on President Joe Biden to “temporarily lift the sanctions” against Cuba and allow it to acquire the necessary materials for reconstruction after the passage of Hurricane Ian.
In an advertisement included in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, The New York-based People’s Forum called on President Biden to put such policies aside “for at least six months. The people of Cuba are part of our family, the human family,” he says.
“The United States has nothing to lose by being a good neighbor and allowing the island to fully recover from this tragic moment,” they say. And they underline that more than 50,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.
“It is inconceivable that at this critical moment the embargo is maintained and collective punishment is applied to an entire people by preventing their government from buying construction material or receiving aid,” they declare.
The organization adds that the Biden administration must act and points out that despite the fact that the US embassy in Havana has assured that the law authorizes US entities and organizations to provide aid in the event of catastrophes, “it has been shown that is so easy”.
The electricity service was restored to 94.5% in homes in Havana, the state-owned Electrical Union (UNE) reported yesterday. In Pinar del Río, the westernmost area of the island and with the greatest impact, electrical restoration is barely 3%, and in neighboring Artemisa 38% of all users.
According to reports from international press agencies, yesterday the demonstrations continued in Havana streets and neighborhoods demanding the reconnection of services.
