By Alejandra Garcia on June 22, 2021 in Havana
Cuba’s covid vaccine Abdala proves to be 92.28% effective.
Tomorrow Cuba returns to the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York to demand an end to the blockade that the U.S. has been imposing on the island for almost six decades. As every year, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez will present to the international community the impact of this unilateral measure on the lives of Cubans, especially amid an unprecedented health crisis.
This year, one piece of news will mark the context of the vote: this week, the blockaded and besieged island announced to the world that two of its five vaccines have proved a very high percentage of efficacy against COVID-19, Abdala (92.28 percent after its three doses), and Soberana 02 (62 percent without adding the third dose of Soberana Plus).
Despite the most precarious economic conditions, exacerbated by Trump-era sanctions and the pandemic, the Island reached an impossible achievement. Abdala and Soberana are the first two immunizers to reach vaccine status in Latin America. Abdala is today the fourth most effective vaccine against the virus worldwide, only behind the U.S. Novavax, Pfizer, and Moderna.
“The confidence of the Cubans and government in its scientific institutions is paying off. Abdala and Soberana are more than vaccines, they result from a united people,” tweeted the foreign minister a few hours after arriving in New York, where he will present the report, “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. against Cuba.”
Contrary to Washington’s interests, Cuba has received extensive international support against the blockade for 25 consecutive years. The result will be no different this time. The world has witnessed the superhuman efforts of this Caribbean country to fight against COVID-19, even beyond its geography, despite a critical shortage of food, medicines, and other basic goods.
In 2020, the economic damages due to the blockade were stratospheric, according to the report drafted by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From April to December last year alone, this policy caused Cuba $3,586.9 million in losses, bringing to over $147 billion the damages caused by the blockade to the country since its entry into force in 1962.
Today, the measure prevents Cuba from buying mechanical pulmonary ventilators, face masks, diagnostic kits, protective goggles, suits, gloves, reagents, and other supplies needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. “The availability of these resources can make the difference between life and death for patients carrying the virus and the health personnel who care for them,” the report stated.
Everything points to the fact that the economic affect will continue to grow this 2021, since the 242 measures imposed by former President Donald Trump (2017-2021), imposed to achieve a change in the political system on the Island, remain intact, including that of placing Cuba on the U.S. arbitrary list of countries that are allegedly sponsors of terrorism.
“Cuba is struggling with everything,” explained journalist Yudy Castro. “The U.S. economic blockade is that noose around the Cuban people’s neck that tightens… and tightens,” she added.
While Cuba advances in its immunization campaign, it faces increasing financial persecution and the refusal of foreign banking institutions to process operations of Cuban entities. Added to this is the closing of already established accounts and contracts, the constant return of bank transactions, and the cancellation of passwords for the exchange of information.
“The vicissitudes have worsened since the middle of last year, due to the damage to remittances and the aggressions against any entity more or less representative of the national economic panorama,” the journalist pointed out.
The U.S. has tried to isolate Cuba from the rest of the world. However, one message is going trending topic at this hour: “Cuba is not alone.” World leaders, social movements, political personalities have taken to the social networks to demand that President Joe Biden keep up with the times, which demand solidarity as never, and eliminate the measures imposed by his predecessor once and for all.
In less than one week, Cuba scores three victories over Washington: two official vaccines and the world’s support.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English