UN votes to end US embargo of Cuba

UNITED NATIONS (CMC):

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted overwhelmingly to end the United States’ economic and trade embargo against Cuba that was first imposed in 1960.

A total of 187 states voted for the resolution put forward each year against the embargo, with only the US and Israel voting against and Ukraine abstaining.

The resolution’s full title is the “necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

The UNGA Thursday voiced concerns that, despite its resolutions dating back to 1992, “the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba is still in place”, and about “the adverse effects of such measures on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries”.

It recalled measures adopted by then US President Barack Obama in 2015 and 2016 “to modify several aspects of the application of the embargo, which contrast with the measures applied since 2017 to reinforce its implementation”.

The UNGA reiterated its call for all countries to refrain from promulgating and applying such restrictive laws and measures, in line with their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.

In explaining its vote, the representative of the United States, Paul Folmsbee, said that his country “stands resolutely” with the Cuban people.

“We strongly support their pursuit of a future with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he said, noting that sanctions are “one set of tools” in the US’ broader effort towards encouraging Cuba to advance democracy and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

But Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said the more than 60-year blockade violates the rights of all Cuban men and women.

He said families lack goods, there are long queues, excessively high prices, and the Government makes great efforts to feed its people.

Rodríguez Parrilla said the blockade deprives the agriculture industry of funds to buy animal fodder, industrial equipment and other necessities for food production.

Despite waivers on food products, he said, the US is violating rules of international trade.

Rodríguez Parrilla said 80 per cent of the population has never known life without the crippling US blockade.

It is “an act of economic warfare, in times of peace”, creating a situation of ungovernability and an attempt to destroy the constitutional order, he said.