UN Condemns US Economic Embargo of Cuba for a 32nd Year
HAVANA TIMES — The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn the US economic embargo of Cuba for a 32nd year after its foreign minister strongly criticized the Biden administration and expressed hope a new president would end it
The vote in the 193-member world body was 187-2, with only the United States and Israel against the resolution, and one abstention. It tied the record for support ending the embargo first reached in 2019 and again last year.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez blamed the US government’s “maximum pressure policy” aimed at depriving Cuba of the imported fuel it relies on for a several days national blackout this month, including when Hurricane Oscar lashed the far east of the island
“President Joseph Biden’s administration usually claims that its policy is intended to ‘help and support the Cuban people,’” he said. “Who would believe such an assertion?”
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they reflect world opinion, and the vote has given Cuba an annual stage to demonstrate that the US stands apart in its decades-old efforts to isolate the Caribbean nation.
Cuba has struggled with one of the worst economic and energy crises in its history. Besides waves of blackouts, citizens are frustrated over food shortages and inflation. Hundreds of thousands have migrated, many headed to the United States.
Editor’s Note: Many countries are willing to sell oil to Cuba if they pay for it. However, after a history of defaults on its credit, most countries are not willing to give it as a donation as the Communist Party government prefers. The island’s main source for oil is the government’s chief ally Venezuela, which while still supplying over 20,000 barrels a day in a secret trade deal, is an amount considerably less than in past years. Russia, Mexico, Algeria and Iran have occasionally sent oil to the island in recent years, but it has been insufficient.
The embargo was imposed in 1960 following the revolution led by Fidel Castro and the nationalization of properties belonging to US citizens and corporations. Two years later, it was strengthened.
In July 2016, then-Cuban President Raul Castro and then-President Barack Obama officially restored relations, and that year the US abstained on the resolution calling for an end to the embargo for the first time. But Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, sharply criticized Cuba’s human rights record, and in 2017 the US again voted against the resolution, and it has ever since.
US deputy ambassador, Paul Folmsbee, told the assembly that the United States strongly supports the Cuban people’s pursuit of a future that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“Sanctions are one element of our broader effort to advance democracy and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba,” he said.
He noted that about 1,000 political prisoners have been unjustly detained in Cuba, more than at any point in Cuba’s recent history.
Folmsbee said U.S. sanctions exempt food, medicine and other basic goods and that the US exported nearly $336 million in agricultural products and authorized additional humanitarian exports last year.
In May, the US lifted some financial restrictions against Cuba in an effort to boost private businesses on the island. That included allowing independent entrepreneurs to open and access US bank accounts online to support their businesses as well as steps to open up more internet-based services and expand private companies’ ability to make certain financial transactions.
Rodriguez said that under Biden’s presidency, Cuba has lost more than $16 billion and that measures announced in the last year “as alleged palliatives” to the embargo are not effective.
Noting next week’s US presidential election, the Cuban minister said the winner will have the opportunity to decide whether to continue “the inhumane siege measures of the last six decades” or heed an increasing number of Americans and an overwhelming majority of nations “and allow our country to develop its true potential and capabilities.”
Rodriguez said Cuba will defend its “right to build an independent, socialist future.”
But he also said Cuba is willing “to hold a serious and responsible dialogue and move on towards a constructive and civilized relationship” with the new US administration.
Helms Burten Act aka EMBARGO is based on international Law and will stand until the foreigners are compensated for the illegal confiscation of THEIR properties Read the law and the CHARTER of the UN also check the verdict of the NUREMBERG TRIBUNAL 1946;
Brian Brotherston’s comment is correct. This annual UN resolution is a toothless tiger. Jose’ comment sounds delusional. The current Castro dictatorship is unable to feed itself and keep the lights on, let alone defeat any external foe. It has been estimated that in only the last years, more than 2 million Cubans have emigrated abroad. Sort of makes the cry “Viva la Revolucion” sound stupid, doesn’t it? When a private company fails, the day arrives when the employees pack up and leave and eventually the lights go out. See any similarities in Cuba?
Michael writes: “And, if the embargo were lifted and the terrorist designation withdrawn, then the people and government of Cuba might be more accepting of reform.”
Charles states: “If the embargo was lifted Cuba would fourish”.
Really? People actually believe the totalitarian dictatorial government will change their autocratic ways simply on the removal of the embargo.
Look at Cuba today with the “ embargo” in place. Is the embargo responsible for the mounds of putrid, disgusting disease distributing, rat infested garbage strewn all over city streets? Is the embargo responsible for the totalitarian government’s draconian methods of stifling entrepreneurial enterprise in a much needed stagnant Cuban economy? Any form of capitalist initiative will be antithetical to the antiquated sacrosanct Revolution ideology, even in an embargo-less Cuba.
Is the embargo responsible for the ruthless arrest and severe detention of young Cubans with simple signs pleading for a modicum of democratic freedom on July 11, 2021? The clear answer is an unqualified No.
Will lifting the embargo plus maintaining the current totalitarian dictatorial government in charge all of sudden rectify the stated negative situations? Hardly.
I totally agree if the embargo was lifted and, this is absolutely critical, when a democratically elected Cuban government of the people, for the people, manifests itself on Cuban soil, no doubt, the Cuban economy will flourish. Until then blaming the disastrous economic situation in Cuba today mostly on the embargo/blockade is very naive.
Vietnam is an example of how a nation totally destroyed by indiscriminate carpet bombing of its infrastructure, plus the majority of its fields and forests for food poisoned by napalm, after a few short years, the destroyed country was able to overcome such devastating adversity to become an economic success for the Vietnamese people – yet Vietnam is a one party communist country – not totalitarian.
And Cuba today, in comparison, with a half hearted embargo/blockade in place, after more than 60 plus years of a totalitarian incompetent dictatorship, is an abysmal economic bankrupt mess – yet Cuba is a one party so called communist country – and totalitarian.
Anyone who believes that simply lifting the embargo/blockade with the current incompetent totalitarian rulers continually in charge will magically transform Cuba into a flourishing State are simply deluding themselves.
Cuba has many problems but people are suffering and their condition could be somewhat improved with elimination of the embargo. And, if the embargo were lifted and the terrorist designation withdrawn, then the people and government of Cuba might be more accepting of reform.
The US could improve its reputation considerably by being more respectful of Latin American countries right to self determination and even revolution in conditions of gross inequality.
An Embargo is an act of war! The US justification of it isn an annual declaration claiming Cuba is a threat to the US’s Nationisl Security. There is no evidence of course, they are becoming the next Haiti, And 90 miles off our shores. Cuba is in a free fall. China and Russia are activvely engaged with them, Russian recently opened a USSR Spy Station in Lourdes. If the embargo was lifted Cuba would fourish. And be our friend, not China or RUssia’s Partner against the US. Look what we did with Viet Nam? THey are still a commnitst coutnry. They have a strong economy and are thriving
The U N is only half correct
In the past 25 years there are lots of countries that Cuba can trade with including Canada
The problem is Walmart type companies would not be good for Cuba but to copy parts of the Costco model for a distribution system and to sell wholesale ( retail) to a number of smaller businesses would a big help but the current people in charge do not want 20 Costco type locations across the country and 50 or more supply places run as a co op like the whole division of home hardware and a central co op that sells to many co ops of farm imputs or coop store in rural Canada.These do work and generate a better standard of living and a better food supply but the current gov doesn’t seem to want these type business in Cuba in my opinion
EU always supported the Revolution. They always supported Fidel and the Cuban people. What a shame that Miami Cubans want to see Cuba destroyed. But we say come fight us on the beaches of bay of Pigs. We defeated Miami Cubans once and we will defeat them again!!! Viva Fidel!! Viva la Revolucion!!
Who on earth, sorry about the pun, takes any notice of the dreadful UN anymore ?