These statements are vivid proof of the European Union's hesitation in the face of United States pressure, and in asking Cuba what they do not dare ask the United States they betray their dependence and total hypocrisy.

The facts established in this letter are extremely disturbing and demonstrate the extent of the corruption and decline that are affecting the United Nations as a result of United States pressure, coercion and intimidation.

The total loss amounts to around 956.2 million dollars, a figure comprising the higher prices paid on the products it acquires, higher freight charges and shipping insurance costs, the tying up of excessive resources in inventory and reserves, and the more onerous financing conditions and losses on exchange rate fluctuations that are the result of United States pressure on banking institutions, as well as the ban on the use of the dollar in transactions carried out by Cuba.

Based on the decision made by one of the shipping company's specialists to save five days' sailing time, the stopover was made in the port of Los Angeles, United States of America. Under pressure from United States federal authorities, the container was seized, allegedly in compliance with the restrictions imposed by the embargo.

As reflected in the minutes of the Council of Ministers for 8 and 15 February 1945, the Government of General Isaías Medina Angarita, President from 1941 to 1945 of what were then the United States of Venezuela, resisted pressure from the United States of America, which sought to persuade Venezuela to declare war on the Axis powers, threatening that if it refused to do so it would be prevented from taking part in the founding conference of the United Nations at San Francisco.