The UN General Assembly on Wednesday once again urged the United States to end its economic, commercial, and financial embargo on Cuba, renewing a demand it has made annually since 1992.
Wednesday’s resolution, titled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” passed with 187 votes in favor, two against (Israel and the US), and one abstention (Moldova).
Though non-binding, the result drew attention the relative isolation of the US regarding the embargo, which was first imposed in 1960 after former leader Fidel Castro came to power following the revolution.
It reaffirmed, among other principles, the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation.
The Assembly also reiterated its call for all States to refrain from promulgating or applying restrictive laws and measures, in line with their obligations under the UN Charter and international law, which, inter alia, reaffirm the freedom of trade and navigation.
“[The General Assembly,] once again urges States that have and continue to apply such laws and measures to take the steps necessary to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible in accordance with their legal regime,” it said in the resolution.
The Assembly also recalled the measures adopted by US President Barack Obama in 2015 and 2016 to modify several aspects of the application of the embargo, “which contrast with the measures applied since 2017 to reinforce its implementation.”
Through the resolution, the General Assembly also decided to include the agenda item entitled “necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” in the provisional agenda of next year’s session.
