In total, 187 States including Haiti voted for the resolution proposed as every year against the embargo since 1992. Only the United States and Israel voted against; Ukraine abstained.

The resolution (non-binding) was presented by Cuba under the title "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" It "once again urges States where such sanctions laws exist and continue to be applied, to take the necessary steps to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible, in accordance with their legal systems."

It also asks the UN Secretary General to continue to prepare annual reports on the effects of the embargo, such as this year's which served as the basis for the deliberation.

Download the latest UN report on the effects of the embargo (PDF in English) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/N2312621.pdf

The Assembly expressed concern by the fact that despite these resolutions dating back to 1992, "the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba is still in force", and by "the harmful effects of these measures on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries.

It recalled the measures adopted by Barack Obama, then President of the United States, in 2015 and 2016 "to modify several aspects of the application of the embargo”, unlike the measures applied since 2017 “to strengthen its implementation."

The General Assembly reiterated its call on all States to refrain from promulgating and enforcing such laws and restrictive measures, in accordance with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

The United States embargo against Cuba began in 1960. It has been strengthened at different points in history. It was expanded to third countries in 1992, at which time the General Assembly began to ask the United States to lift sanctions against Cuba.

This is the 31st time that such a resolution has been adopted by the UN General Assembly, which, year after year, calls on the United States to lift sanctions against Cuba, without ever succeeding despite the fact that The resolutions never received more than 4 votes against.

"We share the point of view that the blockade, the unilateral external restrictions, the exclusion of Cuba from international financial mechanisms and instruments, constitute a major obstacle to its sustainable development," declared the Colombian Francisco Pichón, resident coordinator of the Nations United in Cuba, with the approval of the Government of Havana.

SL/ HaitiLibre