The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted 130-17 to condemn the United States' economic embargo of Cuba, continuing a more than three-decade tradition. The US and Israel voted against the resolution, while 25 countries abstained, including Germany and Italy, which had previously voted in favour. US officials welcomed the increase in abstentions as a sign of diplomatic progress, while Cuba accused Washington of threatening nations to change their votes.
The United Nations General Assembly has again voted in favour of a resolution condemning the United States' economic embargo of Cuba, despite a push by US officials to peel off support. The resolution passed on Wednesday with 130 countries in favour and 17 opposed, including the US and Israel. Another 25 countries abstained, including countries such as Germany and Italy that had previously voted in favour. The General Assembly has voted to condemn the embargo annually for more than three decades.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a social media post after the vote that the US was "once again isolated in its attempt to continue strangling the Cuban people". "Neither its most insane pretexts nor its pressures nor media circus will prevail over the force of facts and truth," he added.
US President Donald Trump's administration has implemented a series of additional economic restrictions, including an energy blockade, to further tighten the embargo. That economic campaign has also been accompanied by a US diplomatic push to further isolate Havana, an effort that US officials said is apparent in the uptick in countries that abstained during Wednesday's vote. Cuban officials accused the US of threatening countries with tariffs, visa restrictions and other penalties if they voted to condemn the embargo.
"I'm satisfied that so many countries now, including major economies like Korea, like Germany and others have shifted their position," US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told reporters after the vote. "Diplomacy takes time, but now that we've had a tripling of countries that have shifted, we expect that to only continue to grow," he added.
Tensions between US and Cuban officials escalated on Tuesday during a General Assembly debate, with both sides yelling at each other and engaging in an apparent shoving match. Waltz said on Wednesday that Richard Tur de la Concepcion, a first secretary at Cuba's UN mission, would be expelled from the country for "assaulting an American diplomat".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The annual UN vote is a barometer of international opinion on the long-standing US embargo, which Cuba and many governments say causes hardship on the island.
- The shift in abstentions signals that US diplomatic pressure is yielding results, potentially altering the global consensus against the embargo.
- The expulsion of a Cuban diplomat and the shouting match raise risks of further escalation between the two countries.
Background
The US embargo on Cuba began in the early 1960s as part of an effort to isolate the country and squeeze its economy. It has been condemned by the UN General Assembly annually for more than 30 years. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has imposed additional restrictions, including an energy blockade, and intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce support for the resolution.
Key Perspectives
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz: Said he was satisfied that countries including South Korea and Germany had shifted their position, describing a tripling of countries that have moved toward abstention or opposition and expecting further growth.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez: Said the US was "once again isolated in its attempt to continue strangling the Cuban people" and that its pressures and pretexts would not prevail.
Cuban officials (unidentified): Accused the US of threatening countries with tariffs, visa restrictions and other penalties if they voted to condemn the embargo.
What to Watch
- The response from the Cuban government to the expulsion of its diplomat and whether it retaliates in kind.
- Next year's vote: will the number of abstentions continue to increase, possibly leading to a majority shift?
- Further US economic measures against Cuba and their humanitarian impact.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBruno Rodriguez said the US was “once again isolated in its attempt to continue strangling the Cuban people”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a social media post after the vote that the US was “once again isolated in its attempt to continue strangling the Cuban people”.”
- SupportedRodriguez said: “Neither its most insane pretexts nor its pressures nor media circus will prevail over the force of facts and truth.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Neither its most insane pretexts nor its pressures nor media circus will prevail over the force of facts and truth,” he added.”
- SupportedMike Waltz said he was satisfied that countries including Korea and Germany had shifted their position.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I’m satisfied that so many countries now, including major economies like Korea, like Germany and others have shifted their position,” US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told reporters after the vote.”
- SupportedWaltz said diplomacy takes time, that countries had tripled their shifts, and that he expected the trend to continue.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Diplomacy takes time, but now that we’ve had a tripling of countries that have shifted, we expect that to only continue to grow,” he added.”
- SupportedWaltz said Richard Tur de la Concepcion would be expelled for “assaulting an American diplomat”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Waltz said on Wednesday that Richard Tur de la Concepcion, a first secretary at Cuba’s UN mission, would be expelled from the country for “assaulting an American diplomat”.”
- Partly supportedThe UN General Assembly condemned the US embargo for a 31st year.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The General Assembly has voted to condemn the embargo annually for more than three decades.”
- SupportedThe US says its diplomacy is working.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I’m satisfied that so many countries now, including major economies like Korea, like Germany and others have shifted their position,” US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told reporters after the vote. “Diplomacy takes time, but now that we’ve had a tripling of countries that have shifted, we expect that to only continue to grow,” he added.”
- SupportedThe resolution passed 130-17, with 25 abstentions.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The resolution passed on Wednesday with 130 countries in favour and 17 opposed, including the US and Israel. Another 25 countries abstained”
- Partly supportedThe US expelled a Cuban diplomat after an alleged assault during the debate.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Tensions between US and Cuban officials exploded on Tuesday during a General Assembly debate with both yelling at the other and engaging in an apparent shoving match. Waltz said on Wednesday that Richard Tur de la Concepcion, a first secretary at Cuba’s UN mission, would be expelled from the country for “assaulting an American diplomat”.”
- SupportedThe US and Israel voted against the resolution.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The resolution passed on Wednesday with 130 countries in favour and 17 opposed, including the US and Israel.”
- SupportedGermany and Italy abstained after previously voting in favour.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Another 25 countries abstained, including countries such as Germany and Italy, that had previously voted in favour.”
- Partly supportedCuban officials accused the US of threatening countries to change their votes.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Cuban officials accused the US of threatening countries with tariffs, visa restrictions and other penalties if they voted to condemn the embargo.”