Recently, President Trump’s administration received unusual backing from several countries that sided with the U.S. in opposing the annual resolution at the United Nations aimed at condemning the “embargo” on Cuba.
For many years, the Castro regime has led efforts to introduce a resolution annually that urges the United States to lift what they call an “embargo.” The last time this issue did not go to vote was in 2020, which was linked to the pandemic.
The Castro government has worked hard to create a misleading story that the “embargo” is the root cause of Cuba’s problems. However, those issues stem from long-standing failures in their communist policies. The situation in Cuba is dire, with many people enduring extremely harsh conditions due to severe repression and lack of basic freedoms.
In truth, an “embargo” comprises measures that only lightly limit trade between the U.S. and Cuba. It does not stop or prevent the flow of medical supplies or humanitarian aid, especially in emergencies, like after Hurricane Melissa struck recently.
The “embargo” does not hinder Cuba’s ability to import food from the U.S. Reports indicated that from January to June 2025, American exports to Cuba totaled $38.4 million, a 10% increase from the previous year. Of this amount, $21 million was poultry, making up 55% of exports. However, food deliveries reached Cuba’s ports but were not stocked in warehouses, which points to the inefficiencies in the Castro regime’s rationing system established in 1963.
Moreover, this “embargo” does not restrict other countries from offering financial assistance. For instance, recently, the German government pledged $330,000 to support victims affected by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba.
On Wednesday, the United Nations passed its 2025 resolution condemning the U.S. “embargo” on Cuba, with 165 countries in favor, down from 187 the previous year.
Traditionally, only Israel has consistently supported the U.S. against these resolutions. However, this week, countries like Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Ukraine joined the U.S. in opposing the resolution. That brought the total to an unprecedented seven votes against it.
Twelve other countries abstained from voting, including Albania, Costa Rica, and Poland. The U.N. noted an increase in negative votes and abstentions as a notable shift among its member states.
Before this exceptional vote, some nations had previously abstained during specific administrations, like Brazil under Bolsonaro. Colombia also abstained during the terms of former conservative President Ivan Duque.
Interestingly, Ukraine has shifted from abstaining in recent years to voting against the resolution. It has accused the Castro regime of sending mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, asserting that Cuba has offered support to Russia. Following the U.N. vote, Ukraine decided to close its embassy in Havana partly because of ongoing Russian support for Cuba.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha stated that their vote wasn’t against the Cuban people but against the actions of the Cuban government regarding the conscription of citizens into Russian service.
In lead-up discussions before the U.N. vote, the U.S. State Department ran a campaign emphasizing that the hardships faced by Cubans stem from the Castro regime’s failed policies, not the “embargo.”
“Supporting the Cuban regime equates to endorsing the oppression faced by various dissident groups,” one State Department message articulated.
According to another post, “Cuba freely imports food, medicine, and humanitarian supplies allowed under the embargo. Last year, U.S. exports to Cuba increased by 16%, providing $585 million in 2024.”
In the past decade, the only instance when both the U.S. and Israel abstained from opposing the “embargo” resolutions was in 2016 during Obama’s tenure when there were several lenient policies towards Cuba. Yet, the Castro government continued its oppressive measures against the Cuban populace.
