UN General Assembly Renews Call to End US Embargo on Cuba as Support Falls to 130 Votes
With 130 votes in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions, the UN General Assembly urged the United States to end its longstanding embargo on Cuba.
UNITED STATES,POLITICS
Global N Press
10/28/20261 min read
UNITED NATIONS, October 28, 2026 — The UN General Assembly voted 130-17, with 25 abstentions, to urge the United States to end its longstanding economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. Support fell from 165 votes in favour and seven against in 2025, reflecting a shift in diplomatic positions. Reuters reported that US lobbying helped persuade several countries, including Germany and Italy, to abstain after years of supporting the resolution. The vote is non-binding and does not change US policy, which remains subject to domestic legal and political processes, including action by Congress.
Washington welcomed the shift in support, while Havana continued to oppose the embargo, arguing that US restrictions contribute to the island's economic difficulties. Cuba has faced fuel shortages, power outages and shortages of essential goods. The annual resolution has long served as a measure of international opinion on US policy toward Cuba, but its passage does not compel Washington to lift sanctions. The result highlights both continued opposition to the embargo among a majority of UN member states and a narrower margin of support than in previous years. The vote took place amid heightened tensions between the two governments, with disagreements over sanctions and Cuba's economic conditions remaining central to their relationship.
