The ten member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) have issued a joint statement reaffirming "their strongest and most forceful solidarity with the Cuban people and government, in view of the current energy situation."
Cuba had a nationwide blackout that began on Friday when the Antonio Guiteras plant -- the nation's largest plant -- failed. The blackout has been exacerbated by the impact of Tropical Storm Oscar and a second systems failure on Sunday.
The statement notes that the difficult situation that Cuba "is experiencing...is a consequence of the economic war and the financial and fuel supply persecution by the U.S. administration, which seeks to strangle Cuba in its commitment to the wellbeing of the Cuban people."
It further notes that "policy of maximum pressure through unilateral coercive measures and the blockade against the sister nation is cruel and inhumane and has been categorically rejected by the majority of the countries of the world, since it clearly seeks a regime change, in blatant violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules of International Law."
Last November the UN General Assembly again voted overwhelmingly against the US embargo.
The statement ended saying the member states "express their solidarity and support all the efforts of President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his government team to overcome this difficult moment, as a result of the U.S. aggressions, while calling on all Latin America and the Caribbean to repudiate the illegal and inhumane blockade against the Cuban people."
After the setback on Sunday, the Cuban government has reported progress towards restoration on Monday, with over 50% of Havana residents having power back.
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