Sherwin Bryce-Pease, New York  

For the 18th consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to lift the economic and arms embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. The financial blockade has been in place against the Caribbean Island since 1960. Only the United States, joined by Israel and Palau voted against the non-binding resolution. Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Eduardo Parrilla says: “It continues to be an absurd policy that causes scarcities and suffering, it is a mass, flagrant and systematic violation of human rights.”

South African Ambassador to the United Nations, Baso Sangqu has called on the United States to end its isolation of Cuba. “We call on the US to end its unilateral isolation of Cuba and encourage the US to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to accelerate the dismantling of these unjust sanctions against Cuba and its people.” Ambassador of the non-aligned movement Maged Abdelaziz says: “We call for all states to refrain from recognising such laws which undermine the principles enshrined in the UN charter.”

US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice says as the US they acknowledge that there is a new chapter to the old story. The United States has however in recent months softened its approach to Cuba. Positive measures could include liberating the hundreds of prisoners of conscience in Cuban jails, the ratifying covenant on civil and human rights, reducing charges on remittances flowing into the country and demonstrating greater respect for freedom of speech.

The G77 and China also calls on the United States to heed to the increasing calls by the international community.