Blockade cost is $40 billion

Blockade cost is $40 billion

According to Radio Havana, a new study shows Cuba has lost nearly $40 billion since the United States imposed its economic blockade on the island 30 years ago.

A report by the Central Planning Board, based on data from 16 Cuban agencies, puts the totals at $28.68 billion in direct losses, and $9.22 billion in indirect losses.

The authors say this study does not include damages to the Cuban economy as a result of sabotage, the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, hijackings of Cuban ships, or various biological warfare agents introduced into the country. Nor does it take into account lost interest payments.

Half of the losses, says the report, are chalked up by the sugar industry and reorientation of Cuba's trade.

The report notes that the resources lost to the blockade could have paid Cuba's $7 billion debt to Western countries five times over.

From GLW issue 74