Cuban Diplomat Accuses United States of Pressuring UN Members Ahead of Embargo Vote
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the United States on Wednesday of using threats and coercion against United Nations member states to influence next week’s annual vote on a resolution calling for an end to the American trade embargo against the island.
Speaking at a press conference in Havana, Rodriguez stated that the US State Department has deployed unprecedented pressure tactics, noting that actions have occasionally been pursued in a direct and personal manner by the secretary of state himself. According to the Cuban diplomat, Washington has warned international counterparts that countries siding with Havana could face trade restrictions, economic penalties, and visa denials.
Tensions between Washington and Havana have escalated sharply ahead of the upcoming vote on the non-binding resolution. The measure has historically passed the UN General Assembly by overwhelming margins every year since 1992, though it carries symbolic and political weight rather than binding enforcement mechanisms. While the global body regularly votes to condemn the embargo, only the US Congress holds the legislative authority to lift the Cold War-era trade restrictions.
The upcoming UN General Assembly vote on the blockade is scheduled to take place on October 27 and 28. In the lead-up to the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz urged international partners to oppose the resolution, characterizing the annual measure as an excuse used to justify what he described as the ongoing oppression and misery of the Cuban people.
The current diplomatic standoff unfolds against a backdrop of intensified economic measures. The United States has maintained a comprehensive trade embargo against Cuba for more than 60 years. However, the administration of US President Donald Trump has significantly escalated pressure since January by implementing a fuel blockade against the island alongside stringent sanctions targeting a wide array of Cuban state entities and government officials.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations made by the Cuban foreign minister.
