UN condemns US' Cuba embargo

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn the U.S.'s economic embargo of Cuba as Washington shifted course on the annual resolution.

The U.S. and Israel were the only dissenting voters in the 193-member General Assembly.

Washington’s UN envoy, Nikki Haley, said the U.S. would continue to vote against the resolution that criticizes the U.S.'s Cuba policy "as long as the Cuban people continue to be deprived of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“The United States opposes this resolution today in continued solidarity with the Cuban people and in the hope that they will one day be free to choose their own destiny," she said. "We might stand alone today. But when the day of freedom comes for the Cuban people – and it will come – we will rejoice with them as only a free people can.”

The move changed Washington's position after it chose to abstain from voting on the annual resolution last year under then-President Barack Obama, for the first time in 25 years.

Obama's shift was part of a long-sought diplomatic process to normalize ties with Cuba after decades of Cold War enmity.

Diplomatic relations were restored in 2016 for the first time since 1961 when former Cuban leader Fidel Castro seized power.

But ties have markedly worsened since President Donald Trump assumed office, notably over a series of mysterious sonic attacks that have targeted U.S. personnel in Cuba.

U.S. officials say 21 embassy employees were deliberately targeted.

At the end of September, the U.S. made dramatic cuts to its diplomatic presence in Cuba and warned Americans to avoid traveling to the island after the attacks, the latest of which happened in August.

Washington also expelled15 officials from Cuba's embassy in Washington as tensions continue to simmer.

Cuba has denied involvement in the attacks. But White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly said Washington believes "the Cuban government could stop the attacks on our diplomats".