UN General Assembly condemns US embargo on Cuba, public opinion welcomes

For the first time, only two countries opposed this condemnation, the US and Israel.

On October 29, 188 out of 193 United Nations member states voted to pass a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning the embargo that the United States has imposed against Cuba for more than five decades.

This is not the first time the UN General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the US embargo against Cuba.

But this is the first time that 188 UN member states - a record number of countries - have unanimously supported the annual vote of the UN General Assembly condemning the embargo that the US has imposed on Cuba for a long time. This has been welcomed by world public opinion, first and foremost by the Cuban people.

This is the 22nd consecutive time that the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the US embargo against Cuba, and it is also the first time that besides the US, only one other country, Israel, has voted against the resolution condemning the embargo, and several South Pacific countries have abstained. European, Asian, African and Latin American countries have all publicly condemned the US's unjust policies. This is evidence that the US embargo policy against Cuba is not accepted by the international community.

In a statement, Ethiopia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Aman Hassen, on behalf of the African group of countries, stressed that Africa fully supports the Security Council resolution, which is necessary to end the embargo against Cuba: "We need to do so because it is our right. We do so because Cuba has a proud history for Africa. Cuba's history is a testament, a representation of Africa's efforts for freedom and independence. Cuba's role will continue to be recognized by the African people. The Cuban people can be proud of their contribution to history."

Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations Samuel Moncada affirmed that the US embargo has become a major obstacle to Cuba's economic and social development: "The US embargo on Cuba is aimed at limiting the Cuban government's ability to access what is necessary for health, education, technology, food and development. That embargo only burdens the Cuban people, thereby limiting the right to development of the country and the Cuban people. This policy is outdated and has no place in today's world."

Appreciating the support of the international community, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla affirmed: “The US policy against Cuba is facing complete isolation on the international level. This is a policy that is “scandalous and lacks legal and moral basis”. According to Mr. Parrilla, although the US has eased travel restrictions on Cuba, the sanctions remain in place.”

The US embargo has caused great economic damage to Cuba and the US blockade has prevented Cuban people, especially children, from accessing medicines to treat serious illnesses.

Cuban Foreign Minister Parrilla emphasized: “The US embargo is a violation of international law and an infringement on the sovereignty of other countries. This embargo overrides international regulations that govern trade between countries and freedom of navigation. It has had unpredictable consequences for the supply of medicine, food and many other goods to the Cuban people. This is a violation of a country's human rights. It is a hostile, unilateral action that must be stopped immediately.”

The Cuban people also welcomed the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, and at the same time said that it was time for the embargo to end: “The reality is that while countries around the world support lifting the embargo, the United States does not do so. They are still continuing the old policies, maintaining the embargo for more than 50 years against Cuba. This no longer makes any sense at the present time.”

“It is absurd. I see no reason for the United States to continue to impose an embargo on Cuba. Despite the US embargo over the years, Cuba has been and will continue to develop.”

The US began imposing measures against Cuba after President Fidel Castro took power in 1959 and officially imposed an embargo on the island nation in 1962. After more than 50 years, the US policy has been facing strong opposition from representatives of most countries in the world./.

According to VOV - DT