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NEW YORK Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Latin America

UN urges end to US Cuba embargo, with broad global support

UN General Assembly vote shows continued global pressure on US to end economic embargo on Cuba.

New York Editorial News Desk October 28, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • 130 nations supported resolution, 25 abstained, and 17 countries, including the US and Israel, voted against.
  • Germany and Italy abstained for the first time in many years.
  • Resolution requires US Congress to end embargo, which has lasted over 60 years.

The UN General Assembly voted to urge an end to the US economic embargo on Cuba, with 130 nations in favor, 25 abstaining, and 17 countries, including the US and Israel, voting against.

This marks a shift from last year's vote, which saw 165 in favor, 7 against, and 12 abstentions. Several Western nations, such as Germany and Italy, abstained for the first time in many years.

The US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, stated that the shift in global support, including from major economies like South Korea and Germany, was a positive development.

Tensions between the US and Cuba escalated ahead of the vote, with shouting matches between their representatives in UN corridors and on the General Assembly floor.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the US embargo as an act of collective punishment and genocide, emphasizing that facts and truth would prevail over US pressures.

The US has maintained the embargo for over 60 years, with President Donald Trump intensifying pressure following military actions in Venezuela.

Cuba attributes its current economic crisis, marked by shortages and inflation, to US sanctions, while the US has criticized Cuba as a failed state.

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