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Simple English definitions for legal terms
de facto blockade
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A quick definition of de facto blockade:
A de facto blockade is when a country stops other ships from going in or out of an enemy's ports by putting their own ships there to stop them. This is only legal if the blockade is strong enough to actually stop ships from getting through. There are also different types of blockades, like a pacific blockade which happens without a war being declared, and a public blockade which is when the country doing the blockade tells other countries about it.
A more thorough explanation:
A de facto blockade is a type of blockade in international law. It occurs when a belligerent prevents access to or egress from an enemy's ports by stationing ships to intercept vessels trying to enter or leave those ports. To be binding, a blockade must be effective, meaning it must be maintained by a force sufficient to prevent access to ports.
For example, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the United States established a de facto blockade of Cuba by stationing ships around the island to prevent Soviet ships from delivering missiles and other military supplies. This blockade was effective in preventing the delivery of these supplies and ultimately led to the resolution of the crisis.
Unlike a public blockade, which is established with formal notice to the governments of neutral nations, a de facto blockade can be established without a declaration of war. However, it must still be effective to be considered binding under international law.