Support falls sharply for UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba
The General Assembly backed the motion for the 34th consecutive year, but by 130 votes to 17, down from more than 160 in favour last year.
NEW YORK, United States. The UN General Assembly has voted for the 34th consecutive year to condemn the US economic embargo against Cuba, but support for the resolution fell significantly.
The vote was 130 in favour and 17 against, with 25 abstentions. Last year more than 160 countries backed the measure.
Several Western nations abstained or voted against the resolution for the first time, signalling a shift in international support as Cuba faces worsening economic difficulties and growing pressure from the Trump administration.
'The blockade is a threat'
"A great power is attacking through economic war a member state of this organization," Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said before the vote. "Cuba is not a threat. The blockade is a threat."
US Ambassador Mike Waltz urged member states to vote against the resolution, arguing that doing so would deny the Cuban government another propaganda victory.
Heated exchange
Relations between Washington and Havana have grown increasingly tense, with disagreements spilling over at the United Nations. Waltz and Rodriguez recently clashed during a General Assembly debate on the embargo resolution.
After Waltz began criticising Cuba's socialist government, Rodriguez approached the podium, accused him of lying and attempted to raise a point of order.
"He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America," Waltz said. "You understand who you're dealing with? This is America. Back up."
