Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced the “ruthless” US embargo against the communist island during a UN General Assembly debate on Tuesday that took place despite diplomatic pressure by Washington to prevent it.
“The government of the United States is carrying out against Cuba a multi-dimensional, non-conventional warfare that has already lasted for almost seven decades now and has become ever more cruel and more ruthless during the last seven months,” Rodriguez told the body, slamming the blockade’s “collective punishment” of the population.
“Paying attention to this ruthless crime is also a responsibility of the United Nations,” he added.
The damage wrought by the embargo during the period of March 2025 until February 2026 amounts to a record US$8 billion, a seven per cent increase over the same period one year earlier, he said, noting the figures do not include the “extreme impact” of the fuel blockade the US imposed on Cuba in February.
Most regional blocs, including countries in Africa and the Caribbean, expressed their support for Cuba on Tuesday and condemned the US blockade.
Each year since 1992, the General Assembly has adopted by a large majority a non-binding resolution calling for the lifting of the blockade imposed on Cuba by the US.
Support weakened slightly last October, when 165 member states voted in favour and seven against, with a dozen abstaining.