The United Nations General Assembly, on Thursday, voted decisively to denounce the American economic embargo on Cuba for the 31st year in a row. The resolution gained the support of 187 member nations, marking a continuous trend in favor of the Caribbean nation. Notably, the United States and Israel stood in opposition, while Ukraine chose to abstain.
Ahead of the vote, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez appealed to the assembly, advocating for the principles of reason, justice, the UN Charter, and international law. He called for solidarity in allowing Cuba to flourish without the shackles of the blockade.
Rodriguez condemned the U.S. embargo as a “crime of genocide” and an “act of economic warfare during times of peace.” He emphasized its impact on Cuba’s economic well-being, causing hunger, desperation, and aiming to destabilize the government.
While General Assembly resolutions lack legal binding, they serve as a reflection of global sentiment. The annual vote continues to highlight the international community’s stance on the decades-long US efforts to isolate the Caribbean island nation. The embargo was initially enforced in 1960 following the leadership of Fidel Castro and the subsequent nationalization of properties owned by US citizens and corporations. Two years later, the embargo was further strengthened.
