130 Nations Back Cuba Resolution as 25 Countries Abstain

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Wednesday to condemn the United States economic embargo on Cuba. The resolution passed with 130 nations in favor and 17 opposed. Twenty-five countries abstained from the vote.

The number of abstentions rose sharply from previous years. Germany and Italy, which had historically voted in favor of the resolution, chose to abstain this time. The General Assembly has voted to condemn the embargo annually for more than three decades.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz addressed reporters after the vote. He stated that he was satisfied with the shift in positions by major economies, including Korea and Germany. Waltz noted that the number of countries shifting their stance tripled. He said the US expects that trend to continue.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez responded to the vote on social media. He described the United States as isolated in its effort to strangle the Cuban people. Rodriguez argued that US pressures and media efforts would not overcome the facts.

Tensions between the two delegations escalated on Tuesday during a debate. Officials from both sides yelled at each other and appeared to engage in a shoving match. Waltz announced on Wednesday that Richard Tur de la Concepcion, a first secretary at Cuba’s UN mission, would be expelled from the country. The reason given was assaulting an American diplomat.

The US has maintained the embargo for more than six decades to isolate Cuba and squeeze its economy. The Trump administration recently added further restrictions, including an energy blockade. US officials said they pressured other nations to abstain by threatening tariffs and visa restrictions. Cuban officials accused the US of using those penalties to influence the vote.

The US and Cuban missions did not respond to requests for additional comment regarding the expulsion or the vote details.