Thursday, February 19, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
The African Trade Union Congress (ATUC) has issued a strong condemnation of the longstanding United States economic embargo on Cuba, demanding its immediate lifting and reaffirming solidarity with the island nation amid broad regional and international opposition to the sanctions. The move reflects escalating global criticism of U.S. policy toward Cuba, which many African and international bodies regard as outdated and counterproductive.
In a statement circulated on social media by Saharareporters, the ATUC described the embargo in place for more than six decades as a "punitive and unjust policy" that has inflicted severe economic hardship on the Cuban people, undermining development, limiting access to essential goods and restricting trade and financial engagement. While specific details of the Congress’s declaration were highlighted in accompanying commentary, the central call was clear: the embargo must end immediately to allow Cuba full sovereignty over its economic and social affairs.
The ATUC’s position aligns with earlier continental efforts, including resolutions by the African Union (AU) condemning Washington’s blockade and urging the restoration of full diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba. AU backing for lifting the embargo has been reaffirmed multiple times in recent years, indicating sustained regional pressure against U.S. sanctions.
Observers note that the U.S. embargo — formally established in the early 1960s in the context of Cold War tensions — remains one of the longest-running unilateral sanctions regimes in modern history, affecting virtually all sectors of the Cuban economy. Critics argue it has hampered Cuba’s access to food, medicine, investment and trade, even as both governments have experienced fluctuating diplomatic engagement over the decades.
The ATUC’s pronouncement adds to a growing chorus of international civil society, labor, and political organisations urging substantive change in U.S.–Cuba policy. Advocates for lifting the embargo assert not only the humanitarian need for its termination but also broader principles of sovereignty, economic justice and international cooperation as essential foundations for equitable global relations.
As global debate intensifies, the issue remains a flashpoint in U.S. foreign policy and international relations, with potential implications for hemispheric trade, diplomacy and multilateral cooperation frameworks in the years ahead.