Georgetown: The United States, which recently relaxed restrictions on Cuba and resumed diplomatic ties, continued to cast a “no” vote, as Guyana and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries were among the 191 nations calling for an end to the decades-old US trade embargo on Cuba, according to President of the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan.
For the 24th consecutive year, the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to condemn the decades-long U.S. economic embargo against Cuba.
Khan said in a near unanimous vote, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted a resolution renewing its call for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US against Cuba, while also acknowledging the restoration, after nearly 50 years, of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In expressing his disappointment, Khan explained that by a vote of 191 in favour to two against – Israel and the United States –, the Assembly welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, announced last July, and the willingness of American President Barack Obama to work towards the lifting of the economic, financial and trade embargo against Cuba.
Emphasizing that the resolution was first passed in 1992, the GCSM President said it received 59 yes votes and three votes against. But there were 71 countries that abstained and 46 that did not participate in the vote. The gradual shift to a near-unanimous vote in favor is a clear sign of the widespread disapproval of the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
Washington broke diplomatic ties and imposed a comprehensive trade embargo on the Communist-run Caribbean island more than half a century ago during the Cold War. Its policy today appears to be influenced by domestic politics in Florida, where Cuban exiles have opposed any conciliation with former President Fidel Castro or current President Raul Castro, who took over for his brother in 2008.
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