World

UNGA Resolution on Ending Cuba Embargo Receives Record Low Support in 2025

By The Hindu

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on October 30, 2025, calling for the United States to lift its long‑standing economic embargo on Cuba. The resolution, titled ‘Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,’ received 130 votes in favour, 25 abstentions and 17 votes against. This marks a sharp decline from previous years, when more than 180 of the 193 UN member states had supported the measure. The drop in support is attributed to pressure from the Trump administration, which reportedly influenced several Latin American countries that have recently moved closer to the U.S., including Costa Rica, Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia. These countries changed their votes after the U.S. operation in Venezuela in January 2026, in which U.S. marines abducted President Maduro and brought him to the U.S. for trial. Western nations also shifted their positions, citing Cuba’s ties with Moscow as a concern over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukraine and Poland cited Cuba’s relationship with Russia in explaining their votes, while Germany and Italy abstained for the first time in many years. The Group of 77 and non‑aligned states, including India, largely maintained support for the resolution. India’s statement, issued a month after the BRICS New Delhi declaration, called for dialogue and diplomacy and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the blockade on Cuban people. The vote highlights a growing unease among smaller and Global South countries regarding unilateral sanctions. Published – November 02, 2026 12:20 am IST