UN links tighter US sanctions on Cuba to rise in infant deaths

The United Nations sharply criticized tighter US sanctions on Cuba, saying the measures have worsened shortages of fuel, medicine, food and water and are contributing to deaths among children. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said blackouts now often last more than 20 hours a day, disrupting hospitals and other essential services across the island. The UN said recent public health data showed infant mortality rose to 9.9 per 1,000 births and childhood cancer survival dropped from 85% to 65% after the fuel restrictions were imposed. It also said medicine supplies have fallen to about 30% and that shipping disruptions affected more than 2.9 million kilograms of humanitarian food cargo. The US State Department said humanitarian aid remains allowed through appropriate channels.