UN votes 130-17 to urge US end Cuba embargo, lowest support since 1995

The UN General Assembly voted 130-17 with 25 abstentions yesterday urging the US to end its six-decade economic embargo on Cuba—the weakest support for the annual resolution since 1995. The vote came amid intensified US pressure on Havana, including an oil blockade and sanctions that have crippled Cuba's economy.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel claimed victory, accusing Washington of "gangster-like coercion" to sway votes. US Ambassador Mike Waltz countered that Cuba's suffering stems from its "corrupt communist regime," not a blockade, displaying photos of Cuban leaders wearing luxury watches and satellite images of elite properties. A heated confrontation between Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez disrupted Tuesday's session.

For Nigerians watching global alignments, the declining vote count signals shifting diplomatic dynamics—fewer nations are willing to defy US pressure on Cuba despite historical solidarity. Nigeria's voting record on this resolution has varied over the years.

What does this declining international consensus tell you about US influence at the UN, and how should African nations navigate such polarized votes?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/29/un-votes-to-end-us-embargo-on-cuba/