CARICOM and the UN have welcomed the overwhelming vote to call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN) have welcomed the overwhelming vote by the UN General Assembly to call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. On November 3, 2023, the UN General Assembly voted 185 in favor of the resolution, with only the United States and Israel voting against. Ukraine abstained. The resolution calls on the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, which has been in place for over 60 years. CARICOM has long been a vocal critic of the embargo, arguing that it has had a devastating impact on the Cuban people and economy. In a statement, CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett said that the UN vote was a "victory for common sense and international law."

Victory for common sense and international law.

"The embargo is a relic of the Cold War that has no place in the 21st century," Barnett said. "It is time for the United States to end this failed policy and allow Cuba to fully participate in the international community." UN Secretary-General António Guterres also welcomed the vote, saying that it was a "clear signal" from the international community that the embargo must end. "The embargo has caused significant human suffering and has hindered the development of Cuba," Guterres said. "I urge the United States to heed the call of the General Assembly and lift the embargo." The UN vote comes at a time when Cuba is facing a number of challenges, including a severe economic crisis and a shortage of food and medicine. The embargo has exacerbated these challenges, making it difficult for Cuba to access essential goods and services. CARICOM and the UN have called on the United States to lift the embargo immediately and unconditionally.

CARICOM Perspective CARICOM has long been a strong advocate for Cuba, and the organization has played a key role in the international campaign to end the US embargo. CARICOM leaders argue that the embargo is a violation of Cuba's sovereignty and that it has had a negative impact on the Cuban people. They also argue that the embargo is a barrier to regional integration and cooperation. In 2022, CARICOM leaders issued a statement calling on the United States to lift the embargo immediately and unconditionally. The statement said that the embargo was "anachronistic" and that it was "time for a new chapter in US-Cuba relations."

UN Perspective The UN has also been a vocal critic of the US embargo on Cuba. In 1991, the UN General Assembly passed the first resolution calling for the embargo to be lifted. Since then, the UN General Assembly has passed a similar resolution every year. The resolutions have been passed with overwhelming support, with only the United States and Israel consistently voting against them. The UN has argued that the US embargo on Cuba is a violation of international law and that it has caused significant human suffering. The UN has also argued that the embargo is a barrier to sustainable development in Cuba. In 2023, the UN Secretary-General issued a report calling for the US embargo on Cuba to be lifted. The report said that the embargo was "counterproductive" and that it was "causing unnecessary suffering to the Cuban people."

The UN vote to call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba is a significant development. It shows that the international community is united in its opposition to the embargo and that it is time for the United States to lift this failed policy. CARICOM and the UN have both called on the United States to lift the embargo immediately and unconditionally. They argue that the embargo is a violation of Cuba's sovereignty, that it has had a negative impact on the Cuban people, and that it is a barrier to regional integration and cooperation. It remains to be seen whether the United States will heed the calls of the international community and lift the embargo. However, the UN vote is a sign that the pressure is mounting on the United States to end this outdated and counterproductive policy.