US fails to make big dent in UN vote calling for end to Cuba embargo

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly called for an end to a U.S. economic embargo on Cuba despite lobbying by Washington that included sharing an accusation that up to 5,000 Cubans are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.



It adopted a resolution with 165 votes in favor, seven against and 12 abstentions. The U.S. convinced Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Ukraine to join it and Israel in voting against the resolution.



Last year, the General Assembly adopted the resolution with 187 countries voting in favor. The United States and Israel were the only countries that voted against it, while Moldova abstained. Cuba has rejected as unfounded the U.S. claims, and released information on legal proceedings against Cubans for mercenary activity in Ukraine. Communist-run Cuba has openly sided with its ally Russia in the conflict while also calling for peace talks.



The U.N. vote carries political weight, but only the U.S. Congress can lift the Cold War-era embargo. The 193-member U.N. General Assembly has adopted the resolution annually for more than three decades - except for 2020 during the COVID pandemic.