The U.N. General Assembly urged an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba
The U.N. General Assembly voted 130-17, with 25 abstentions, for a resolution urging an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Last year's tally was 165-7, with 12 abstentions. Reuters reported a U.S. lobbying push led several countries to oppose it or abstain. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on X the U.S. government was subjecting Cubans to collective punishment.
More context
The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday again urged an end to the decades-long U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, though support for the resolution fell from last year. The vote was 130 in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions, Reuters reported, compared with 165-7 and 12 abstentions last year. Reuters said a U.S. lobbying push led several countries to oppose the measure or abstain for the first time in years; Germany and Italy were among Western countries abstaining for the first time in many years. The resolution cited concern about the extraterritorial effects of U.S. laws such as the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on X that the U.S. government was “once again isolated” and accused it of collective punishment. Reuters reported fuel imports had fallen sharply and blackouts regularly span days, including in Havana.
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Verifier’s note
China Daily Asia and Reuters both report that the General Assembly condemned the U.S. embargo on Wednesday and that more countries opposed or abstained than last year. Times Union’s Associated Press item previews the vote but does not report its outcome.