New York : The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly rejected the economic, commercial and financial blockade that the United States has kept against Cuba for almost 60 years.
The repulsion came in a resolution passed with 191 votes in favor, and two votes against, those of the United States and Israel.
This is the 26th time that the most representative chamber of multilateral organization approves this resolution.
Before introducing the text, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez strongly rebutted remarks by US Ambassador Nikki Haley, who described the yearly event as “political theater”, and as an opportunity for the Cuban government to justify what she called failures.
In typically arrogant US style, Haley pointed to the UN General Assembly not having authority to request the end of the blockade.
“This assembly does not have the power to end the U.S. embargo. It is based in U.S. law, which only the United States Congress can change”, she said.
Minister Bruno Rodriguez described the US representative remarks as disrespectful and said the US had not the least moral authority to question Cuba.
“The Cuban people will never renounce the construction of a sovereign, independent, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable nation.” Rodriguez said
In a speech that was several times interrupted by thunderous applause, the Cuban top diplomat added that the island will persist on the defense of its independence.
In explaining their vote, several speakers described the blockade as illegitimate, immoral, illegal, unilateral, extraterritorial and as a blatant violation of the UN Charter.
The newly adopted, non-binding text urges countries around the world not to promote or enact laws or measures contrary to the UN Charter or in violation of the principle of no intervention in the internal affairs of nations and of international free trade and navigation.
It also calls on countries that currently implement such actions to scrap them.
