United Nations calls for end to US embargo on Cuba, again

"The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly called for an end to a US economic embargo on Cuba for a 33rd year, despite lobbying by Washington that included sharing an accusation that up to 5,000 Cubans are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. It adopted a resolution with 165 votes in favour, seven against and 12 abstentions. Unlike previous years, the US convinced Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Ukraine to join it and Israel in voting against the resolution."

"Cuba has rejected as unfounded the US claims and released information on legal proceedings against Cubans for mercenary activity in Ukraine. Communist-run Cuba has openly sided with its ally Russia in the conflict while also calling for peace talks. The UN vote carries political weight, but only the US Congress can lift the Cold War-era embargo. The 193-member UN General Assembly has adopted the resolution annually for more than three decades except for 2020 during the COVID pandemic."

"The blockade is a policy of collective punishment, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the assembly before the vote. It flagrantly, massively and systematically violates the human rights of Cubans. It makes no distinction between social sectors or economic actors. Cuba will not surrender, he said."

United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an end to the US economic embargo on Cuba for the 33rd year, with 165 votes in favor, seven against and 12 abstentions. The United States, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Ukraine voted against the resolution. Cuba rejected US accusations that up to 5,000 Cubans are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine and released information about legal proceedings related to mercenary activity. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez described the embargo as collective punishment that flagrantly and systematically violates human rights and said Cuba will not surrender. Only the US Congress can lift the Cold War-era embargo.

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