The United Nations General Assembly took a significant step on Wednesday by overwhelmingly adopting an annual resolution urging the United States to end its long-standing economic and trade embargo against Cuba.
The resolution received support from 187 member states, with the United States and Israel voting against it, and Moldova choosing to abstain. This strong majority underscores the global consensus against the embargo that has been in place since 1960, following the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro.
In the resolution, the General Assembly reaffirmed the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. It called on all nations to refrain from imposing restrictive laws and measures that violate their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.
Although non-binding, the resolution highlights the United States' isolation on this issue. Since 2019, the US has intensified economic measures aimed at limiting Cuba's access to fuel and spare parts necessary for maintaining its power plants and electric grid. Cuba's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, condemned the embargo as \"commercial warfare\" and a \"crime of genocide,\" questioning the sincerity of the Biden administration's claims to support the Cuban people.
Rodriguez emphasized that the blockade represents a blatant and systematic violation of human rights, labeling it the most extensive and enduring system of unilateral coercive measures ever imposed against a country. Since 1992, the UN General Assembly has consistently adopted resolutions demanding the end of US restrictions on Cuba, reflecting sustained international support for the island nation.
As the global community continues to evolve, the unanimous voices of 187 nations signal a strong desire for change in US-Cuba relations, paving the way for potential shifts in international diplomacy and economic partnerships.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
