The United States has again reverted to its previous position of voting against a United Nations General Assembly resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba.
The no vote from the administration of President Donald Trump marks the 25th time in 26 years that the US has tried to block the resolution. In a historic move last year, the administration of former President Barack Obama abstained during the vote as part of a period of détente between to the longtime foes.
Washington was joined only by Israel in voting no. Hundred and ninety one countries backing the symbolic resolution calling on the United States to end its decades long embargo that many in the chamber view as overreach into the sovereignty of a member state. United States Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“The United States does not fear isolation in this chamber or anywhere else. Our principles are not up for a vote. They are enshrined in our Constitution. They also happen to be enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. As long as we are members of the United Nations, we will stand for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms that the Member States of this body have pledged to protect, even if we have to stand alone.”
Cuba has rejected any preconditions for the lifting of the embargo and has estimated the cost of the almost 60-year old blockade at hundreds of billions of dollars. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrila.
“ President Trump does not have the least moral authority to question Cuba. He is heading a government of millionaires destined to implement savage measures against lower-income families, poor people, minorities and immigrants. He pursues a program that encourages hatred and division. He proclaims a dangerous exceptionalism and supremacism under the guise of patriotism, which will bring about more violence.”
He reiterated to the Assembly the views of Cuba’s President Raul Castro.
“We are willing to continue respectful dialogue and cooperation with the US Govt in areas of common interest. He said Cuba and the United States can cooperate and coexist, respecting their differences and promoting all that may benefit both countries and peoples but it should not be expected that in order to achieve this, Cuba will make concessions on its sovereignty or independence or negotiate its principles or agree to preconditions of any sort as we have never done throughout the history of our revolution.”
South Africa joined the overwhelming majority in support the resolution, through Ambassador Jerry Matjila.
“South Africa also takes note of the 16 June 2017 announcement of a new US policy towards Cuba which signalled a shift from the reconciliation and improved relations that had been initiated between Cuba and the previous Obama US Administration, and which reaffirms the US statutory embargo of Cuba. I wish to express our disappointment that the current US administration has chosen a path of regression in the normalization of relations with Cuba which causes the re-enforcement of isolation and further harm to the Cuban people. “
Only an act of the United States Congress can lift the embargo, a move unlikely under the current administration.
