The UN General Assembly voted on a resolution condemning the US economic embargo against Cuba for the 32nd year in a row. The resolution was adopted with 187 to 2 votes, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Only Israel and the US voted against. One party abstained.
Ahead of the vote, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the US government for its maximum pressure policy aimed at depriving the Caribbean country of imports of the goviro it relies on, which caused a massive blackout earlier in the month in the country, including when hurricane "Oscar" passed through it. Cuba's number one diplomat expressed hope that things will change after the US election. “President Biden says that such a policy towards Cuba is intended to help and support the Cuban people. Who will believe such a statement”, said the Cuban foreign minister.
The resolutions of the UN General Assembly are not binding, but reflect the opinion of the world community.
The embargo was imposed in 1960 after the revolution led by Fidel Castro and after the nationalization of property in Cuba belonging to American citizens and corporations.
In July 2016, then-Cuban President Raúl Castro and then-US President Barack Obama officially restored relations between the two countries. That year, the United States for the first time abstained from voting on a resolution calling for an end to the embargo against Cuba. But Obama's successor, Donald Trump, sharply criticized the state of human rights in Cuba, and in 2017 the US again voted against the resolution, as it has so far.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Paul Folmsby told the General Assembly that the US strongly supports the Cuban people's aspirations for a future that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. “Sanctions are one element of our broader efforts to advance democracy and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba,” he said.
The diplomat noted that about 1,000 political prisoners are unjustly detained in Cuba, more than at any point in Cuba's recent history. Folmsby said U.S. sanctions exempt food, medicine and other essential goods, and that the U.S. exported nearly $336 million worth of agricultural products to Cuba last year and authorized additional humanitarian exports to the island nation.
In May, the United States lifted some financial restrictions against Cuba in an effort to boost private business on the island. This included allowing independent entrepreneurs to open US bank accounts and access them online to support their businesses, as well as steps to open up more internet-based services and expand the ability of private companies to carry out certain financial transactions.
Argentine President Javier Millay fired Foreign Affairs Minister Diana Mondino after she voted on behalf of Argentina against the US embargo on Cuba, world agencies reported, quoted by BTA.
An Argentine government spokesman said the country's new foreign minister is Gerardo Verheyn, who is Argentina's former ambassador to the United States.
Earlier tonight, the UN General Assembly passed by 187 votes "for" and only two votes "against" resolution condemning the US embargo against Cuba. Only the US and Israel voted against. And with "abstained" Moldova voted.
Argentina has always voted against the embargo on Cuba.
After the news of the change of the foreign minister of Argentina, Millay said on social networks that his government does not support and is not an accomplice of dictators, referring to those in power in Cuba. After which he called for Cuba to be free.
Gerardo Werheim is a businessman, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and former president of the Argentine Olympic Committee. Upon coming to power, Millay nominated him to be Argentina's ambassador to the United States, France Press recalls.
The previous foreign minister, Mondino, played a key role in maintaining smooth diplomatic relations with international partners, despite the president's sometimes sharp and incendiary comments regarding countries such as Brazil and China, according to Reuters.