UNITED NATIONS – The draft resolution calling for the end of the UnitedStates’ economic blockade against Cuba has been adopted by the UnitedNations General Assembly on Thursday.
The document dubbed “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial andFinancial Embargo Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba”passed by an overwhelming majority of 187 states voting in favour.
Brazil decided to vote against the draft resolution, while Colombia andUkraine abstained from voting.
The resolution comes after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on 4November accused the United States of exerting pressure on Latin Americancountrieslinktooppose the draft resolution, Sputnik has reported.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin pointed out during a UNGeneral Assembly session on 6 November that the US blockade has alreadyamounted to more than $922 billion in economic damage to Cuba whileobstructing the Cuban citizens’ right to a dignified life and embracingtheir own socio-economic development.
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The United States first imposed an arms embargo on Cuba in 1958. The banwas complemented by the introduction of restrictions in various othersectors, including sanctions on financial transactions, trade and travellink.
Former US President Barack Obama relaxed US policy toward Cuba, introducingregulations to ease people-to-people contacts.
However, current President Donald Trump toughened the policy once he cameto power in 2016, restricting travel, boosting the economic embargo andimposing sanctions on Raul Castro, Cuba’s Communist Party leader, overalleged human rights violations and for supporting the Venezuelanleadership.
