U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
“This week, in Cuba news…”
UN votes overwhelmingly to condemn US embargo of Cuba
On Thursday, for the 26th consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), voted in support of a resolution to denounce the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The resolution passed with a 188-2-0 vote. As has become the custom in recent years, only Israel joined the U.S. to vote against the resolution. Ukraine and Moldova did not vote. This year, the U.S. delegation introduced eight amendments calling on the Cuban government to respect human rights, especially freedom of expression, press, and assembly. All the amendments were rejected by vote and dismissed.
Cuba presented the first UNGA resolution against the U.S. embargo in 1992. On that occasion, the resolution was approved by a vote of 59 in favor, 3 opposed, and 71 abstentions. The U.S. and Israel have voted against the resolution each year but one; in 2016, following President Obama’s trip to Cuba in March of that year, both delegations abstained. That year, the resolution received a historic 191 votes in favor and zero opposed. However, in 2017, following President Trump’s policy directive requiring the U.S. to oppose the measure, the U.S. and Israel once again voted against it. The measure passed with 191 votes in favor.
Every year in the weeks before the vote, the Cuban government increases its statements against the embargo and launches efforts to solicit support from stakeholders in the international community.
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