The United States and Israel, for the 30th consecutive year, voted against condemning the embargo against Cuba, defying the UN General Assembly’s resolution in continuation of more than 60 years of violation of international law and disdain for the UN.

The General Assembly, in a historic consensus, voted overwhelmingly to condemn the embargo, recording 185 votes for the motion, with two votes (Brazil and Ukraine) abstaining, with only the US and Israel voting against the motion. 

On Thursday, the UN condemned the U.S. embargo against Cuba, describing it as an “unfair and unjustifiable act of economic violence aimed at strangling the Cuban people into submission to US violent leadership.”

Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez before votes were cast, said the U.S. government had since 2019 “escalated the siege around our country, taking it to an even crueller and more humane dimension, with the purpose of deliberately inflicting the biggest possible damage on Cuban families.”

Mr Rodriguez added, “The blockade, which has been tightened to the extreme, continues to be the central element that defines the U.S.-Cuba policy.” 

Political counsellor to the U.S., John Kelly, stated that despite the opposition to free Cuba, the U.S. “stands with the Cuban people.” 

“The United States opposes this resolution, but we stand with the Cuban people and will continue to seek ways to provide meaningful support to them,” Mr Kelly said. 

Mr Kelly referenced Cuba’s trial and sentencing of about 400 individuals who had participated in a protest in response to worsening economic conditions. 

He was, however, promptly countered by Cuba’s deputy representative to the UN, Yuri Gala. 

“If the United States government was really interested in the welfare, human rights and self-determination of Cubans, it could lift the blockade. Cuba does not need lessons on democracy and human rights, much less from the United States,” Mr Gala said.