The United Nations voted with near unanimously in favor, on Tuesday, of a resolution criticizing the United States embargo on Cuba, with only two opposing votes. The United States, along with its close ally Israel, both voted "no" on the resolution. Many had hoped the United States would take a softer stance considering the recent diplomatic strides taken by each nation, however, the U.S. cast the "no" vote because it felt the language did not reflect the spirit of "opening" between the two countries according to CNN.
According to EuroNews, Cuba says the embargo has caused the equivalent of $118 billion in damages to its economy.
Though the U.N is incapable of enforcing the resolution it has become a symbolic tradition in the embassy , framing the embargo as illegitimate and unjust. It is reported that the U.S. considered abstaining from the vote this year, given the improvement in relations between the two countries, however, the "no" vote was eventually cast as the language of the resolution was unfit for abstention according to a United States government spokesman.
Along with its demand that the United States end its embargo on Cuba, the resolution also calls on U.N. members "to refrain from interfering in other countries' internal affairs as well as the freedom of international trade and navigation."
Many hoped a unanimous vote would push The United States Congress to vote in favor of ending the embargo, and thus the chapter on acrimonious relations between the neighboring nations. Congress will vote on this matter in the upcoming months, and will be presented with the opportunity to make historic change in the face of almost unanimous international support. While few can predict the outcome of the vote, reports among Congressional staffers indicate a reticence from some representatives.
