UN Reaction to Cuban Crisis 2-6-26

The United Nations General Assembly consistently opposes the U.S.-led embargo on Cuba, passing annual, non-binding resolutions overwhelmingly calling for its end. In October 2025, for the 33rd consecutive year, the UN voted 165-7 to condemn the embargo, citing its negative impact on the Cuban people and urging compliance with international law.  

Key Aspects of the UN's Reaction:

Overwhelming Condemnation: Year after year, the vast majority of member nations vote against the embargo, reflecting widespread international opposition to the policy.

Persistent Opposition: Despite the U.S. and Israel consistently voting against the resolutions (with rare exceptions), the UNGA continues to pressure the U.S. to lift the sanctions, which are described as a "blockade".

Humanitarian Concerns: The UN highlights how the sanctions hinder Cuba's economic recovery and worsen the humanitarian situation on the island.

Impact of Global Opinion: While these votes are non-binding, they are considered powerful diplomatic actions that highlight the isolation of the U.S. position on this issue.

Context of Crisis: The 2025 vote took place against a backdrop of intensified U.S. pressure and accusations regarding Cuban involvement in foreign conflicts, but the international community continued to call for an end to the sanctions. 

The United Nations' reaction to Cuba’s current humanitarian and economic crisis centers on its overwhelming and recurring condemnation of the U.S. embargo, which many member states blame for exacerbating the island's instability. 

Recent Actions and Resolutions

Annual Condemnation of the Embargo: In October 2025, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for the 33rd consecutive year to demand an end to the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The vote was 165 in favor to 7 against (including the U.S., Israel, and Ukraine), with 12 abstentions.

Economic Impact Assessments: UN officials have highlighted that the "blockade" has caused billions in damages—estimated at $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025 alone—which has crippled Cuba's ability to access essential technology for food, healthcare, and disaster recovery.

Humanitarian Concerns: During the 2025 debates, the UN noted deteriorating social indicators, such as infant mortality rates rising to 8.5 per 1,000 live births in the first half of 2025. UN rapporteurs have specifically called for the lifting of sanctions to allow for humanitarian relief. 

The "State Sponsor of Terrorism" Designation

The UN has also been a platform for Cuba and its allies to challenge its designation by the U.S. as a State

Sponsor of Terrorism. Cuban officials argued at the UN that this status unfairly hampers international banking and investment, further deepening the domestic crisis. 

Diplomatic Friction at the UN

While the majority of the UN supports lifting sanctions, the U.S. maintained at recent General Assembly sessions that Cuba’s crisis is a result of regime failure and internal repression. The U.S. delegation also accused Cuba of assisting Russia in the war in Ukraine, a claim the UN General Assembly acknowledged as a point of contention that led some nations to abstain or change their previous votes. 

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Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader