The United Nations (UN) General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution calling for an end to “the 64-year-old economic restrictions imposed on Cuba by the United States [US]”, by 130 votes in favour to 17 against, with 25 abstentions.

South Africa voted in favour.

The UN said the vote “witnessed a continuing decline in support from delegates compared with similar calls in the last few years”. It said the vote was 187 in favour to two against, with one abstention, in 2024, and 165 in favour to seven against, with 12 abstentions, last year.

Those voting against included Argentina, Hungary, Israel, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the US. Germany, Italy and Poland were among those that abstained, while the United Kingdom, France, and Spain voted in favour.

Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said: “Cuba is not a threat; the blockade is a threat.”

Before the vote, the US urged member states to reject the resolution, accusing Havana of corruption, repression, and exploiting its own people, the UN said. The US rejected claims of a blockade, citing $876 million in American exports to Cuba this year, including fuel.