The Ecuadorian Coordinator of Friendship and Solidarity with Cuba condemned in 2016 in Ecuador, Quito, the economic, commercial and financial blockade maintained by the United States against the Island for more than 50 years. María Augusta Calle, president of the body and legislator, said that the Coordinator's objective has always been to demand the cessation of the unilateral and criminal US blockade against Cuba.
The blockade hinders the importation of technological equipment and medicines; It is almost impossible to buy broad spectrum antimicrobials abroad, such as Linezolid, which is important for the health care of children under one year of age. Most of the articles used by students and teachers are brought mainly from China; this operation would cost less if it were carried out in the United States. The limitations due to the unfair economic, commercial and financial policy significantly reduce purchases, exchanges and donations in general, since the blockade imposes restrictions on publishers and institutions in third countries.
It is not enough to reestablish relations, the United States must compensate Cuba for the economic damages and restore the territory, illegally occupied in Guantanamo, to the territorial sovereignty of the Cuban people, Evo Morales denounced in the United Nations. Also, other leaders consider the US blockade as a sanction in response to the construction of a Cuban project, aimed at defeating inequalities.
If I list the affectations, the list would be very extensive. The truth is that Cubans suffer every day the consequences of the blockade. But despite these obstacles, the country has not stopped producing drugs used in various parts of the world, given its effectiveness in the treatment of diseases. Cuba is a strong people that is not afraid of difficulties, and we will continue like this until justice prevails.