U.S. Customs Blocks Humanitarian Aid from Canada to Cuba.

Ottawa : Canada | Jul 03, 2012 at 2:35 AM PDT

By IQBALMEMON468

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U.S. Customs officials blocked a truck carrying humanitarian aid donated by several Canadian cities, to be sent to Cuba as part of the XXIII Caravan of Pastors for Peace.

Since yesterday, authorities have prevented the vehicle from crossing the border at White Rock-Blaine, on the west coast, under the pretext that it was carrying commercial goods that require a deposit to enter the U.S., said a statement from the International Committee for the Release of the Cuban Five imprisoned in U.S. jails.

The shipment includes wheelchairs, educational and sports articles, collected in several cities and communities in the province of British Columbia in Canada.

Customs officers forced the driver to park the truck for a second inspection and after more than four hours, access was denied as the deposit was demanded, and it was clarified that in any case sports equipment would not be allowed to enter.

The truck is parked at the border, where the caravan and several activists are camping in protest until the aid is allowed to pass unconditionally.

IQBALMEMON468 is based in Islamabad, Federal Capital Area, Pakistan, and is a Reporter for Allvoices.

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