The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution opposing the US embargo on Cuba by 130 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions. Washington and Havana offered competing interpretations of the result as some previous supporters abstained. The nonbinding resolution continues a longstanding diplomatic campaign but does not remove restrictions imposed under US law.
Geopolitics··Midday
The resolution wins a majority
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution opposing the US economic embargo on Cuba on October 28. The measure received 130 votes in favour and 17 against. The vote again placed a majority of participating governments behind the call to end the embargo.[1], [2]
There were also 25 abstentions. The United States and Israel opposed the text, while Germany and Italy abstained after supporting it in earlier years. Those changes in voting alignment formed part of the diplomatic contest surrounding the resolution.[1]
Havana and Washington interpret the result
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez presented the outcome as continuing international backing against US pressure. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz instead highlighted the increased number of abstentions as progress for Washington’s diplomatic campaign. Before the vote, Cuba accused Washington of threatening countries with tariffs and visa restrictions to influence their positions. That account of pressure was an allegation by the Cuban government.[1]
The embargo remains in place
General Assembly resolutions are nonbinding, so adoption of this text does not repeal restrictions under US law. The Assembly has called for an end to the embargo for more than three decades, while the embargo itself has been in place for more than six decades. The vote came amid economic hardship in Cuba and additional pressure from the Trump administration, including restrictions involving energy supplies.[1]
