The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn the United States’ economic embargo on Cuba, marking the 33rd consecutive year the resolution has been put forward.
As Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the island nation, the vote on the resolution highlighted not only the ongoing tensions between the nations but also increased military activity from the U.S. in the Caribbean region.
The resolution passed with 165 votes in favor, 7 against, and 12 countries abstaining.
This year’s vote saw some unexpected opposition, with nations like Argentina, Ukraine, and Hungary joining the U.S. and Israel in voting against the measure.
Although such resolutions are not legally binding, they provide a significant reflection of global sentiment towards the U.S. embargo.
Following the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Jeff Bartos expressed satisfaction over the results, interpreting them as a message from the international community against the Cuban regime.
In a contrasting view, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez claimed that the U.S. had engaged in a campaign to sway votes away from the resolution, citing reports from other countries, particularly in Europe, about pressure from the State Department.
A spokesperson for the State Department rebutted Rodríguez’s assertions, stating that the ‘Cuban regime does not deserve the backing of America’s democratic allies.’
In the debate preceding the vote, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz dismissed the annual resolution as ‘political theater’ crafted by Cuba to portray itself as a victim of U.S. aggression.
He urged member states to stop ‘appeasing the regime’ with their votes and instead, use the opportunity to send a clear message to Cuba regarding its own economic issues.
Waltz’s comments led to a back-and-forth exchange during which Rodríguez criticized his tone, calling it ‘uncivilized, crude and gross.’
Waltz retaliated, stating the context was not that of a ‘communist illegitimate legislature in Havana.’
Rodríguez emphasized the significance of the General Assembly’s annual resolution, asserting that it sends a powerful message despite its non-binding nature.
Meanwhile, as discussions occurred at the U.N., the Trump administration’s focus has also intensified on military actions against drug trafficking in South America.
Rodríguez described these military buildups as ‘aggressive, extraordinary and unjustified,’ suggesting they have contributed to strained relations with U.S. allies in the region.
Concerns have arisen that these actions may signal an effort by Washington to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has faced allegations of narcoterrorism.
Cuba continues to grapple with a pressing economic and energy crisis compounded by the U.S. embargo, with reports of food shortages, inflation, and widespread blackouts impacting the lives of its citizens.
Since 2020, the island’s economy has contracted significantly, sparking major social unrest and prompting mass emigration, particularly to the United States.
Cuban officials blame the ongoing economic struggles on a combination of COVID-19 lockdowns, heightened U.S. sanctions, and various internal factors, with claims that U.S. sanctions have cost the country over $7.5 billion from March 2024 to February 2025.
The American embargo, first imposed in 1960 after Fidel Castro’s revolution, has greatly impacted Cuba’s economic landscape over the decades.
A moment of thaw in these strained relations was observed in 2016 when Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama officially restored diplomatic ties.
During that year, the U.S. abstained for the first time from opposing the U.N. resolution calling for an end to the embargo.
However, under President Donald Trump, relations sour again, with the U.S. voting against the resolution from 2017 onward as sanctions increased in severity during his administration.
Sanctions continued under President Joe Biden, who has also tightened restrictions since Trump returned to office earlier this year.
With the dramatic backdrop of Hurricane Melissa and the ongoing military actions, the future of U.S.-Cuba relations remains to be seen amid increasing pressures and international scrutiny.
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