UN General Assembly condemns US embargo on Cuba as fewer nations back the resolution amid US lobbying

Summary

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday, October 28, condemned the decades-long US economic embargo on Cuba for the 34th year, voting 130 in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions. Support fell from last year, when more than 160 nations backed the measure and only 12 abstained, as a US lobbying campaign led a number of countries to vote against the resolution or sit out the vote for the first time. Washington pointed to the rise in abstentions as evidence that its push to isolate Cuba is slowly succeeding. The resolutions are not legally binding.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   28 Oct 2026, 16:51 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the resolution received 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions, which it describes as the weakest backing in 30 years.

2. Hindustan Times

   28 Oct 2026, 18:36 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN condemned the US economic embargo of Cuba, though more nations sat out the vote after the Trump administration's push.

3. Al Jazeera

   28 Oct 2026, 20:22 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN voted to condemn the embargo of Cuba despite US lobbying, and that the US pointed to an increase in abstentions as evidence that its push to isolate Cuba is slowly succeeding.

4. CBC

   28 Oct 2026, 20:29 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the General Assembly overwhelmingly urged an end to the decades-long US economic embargo on Cuba, but a US lobbying push led several countries to oppose the resolution or abstain for the first time in years.

5. South China Morning Post

   28 Oct 2026, 22:15 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the vote was 130-17 with 25 abstentions, down from more than 160 supporters and 12 abstentions last year, and that such resolutions are not legally binding.

6. PBS NewsHour

   28 Oct 2026, 22:50 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the General Assembly condemned the US economic embargo of Cuba for the 34th year, even as Washington's campaign led some countries to vote against the resolution or sit out the decision for the first time.

7. Hindustan Times

   28 Oct 2026, 23:38 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN voted to condemn the US embargo on Cuba, but support fell as Washington persuaded more countries to abstain or oppose it, with 17 countries voting against.