UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for an end to US embargo on Cuba

New York, October 28 (KUNA) -- The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba since 1962, marking the 34th time since 1992 that such a resolution has been passed. The resolution received the support of 130 countries, opposed by 17, with 25 abstaining, compared to last year’s resolution, which was supported by 165 countries, opposed by seven, with 12 abstaining.

In the resolution, the General Assembly expressed concern over the continued imposition of the economic embargo on Cuba, despite successive resolutions adopted on the matter, and the harmful consequences it has for the Cuban people and Cuban citizens residing abroad. It called on all countries to refrain from enacting or applying laws and measures of this kind, and urged those that still apply them to take the necessary steps to repeal or nullify them as soon as possible.

On the occasion, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, in a speech before the General Assembly, condemned the U.S. embargo, stating that the measures imposed on his country aim to “manufacture a humanitarian crisis and use it as a means of pressure on the Cuban people.” Rodriguez said his country demands “the right for its people to live in peace and resolve their differences and problems internally and through peaceful means, free from any political, military, or economic aggression.”

In response, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz rejected the characterization of U.S. measures against Cuba as an “embargo,” placing full responsibility for the economic and living conditions suffered by the Cuban people on the Cuban government. In a speech delivered on Tuesday evening before the vote, Waltz said, “The Cuban government exploits the annual General Assembly vote to achieve propaganda gains and to convince the Cuban people that their suffering is caused by U.S. measures rather than the domestic policies of the government.” He added that supporting the resolution “gives the Cuban government another propaganda victory at the expense of the Cuban people,” urging member states not to allow the General Assembly to be used for this purpose.

The United States began imposing the economic embargo on Cuba in the 1960s, expanding the measures in subsequent decades, while the General Assembly first adopted a resolution calling for its end in 1992. (End)