191 Countries Just Slammed the US’ Devastating Decades-Long Embargo of Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

191 Countries Just Slammed the US’ Devastating Decades-Long Embargo of Cuba
Claire Bernish
October 28, 2015



(ANTIMEDIA) The entire world slammed the United States for its 55-year-long economic strangulation of Cuba when 191 countries — every U.N. General Assembly member except the U.S. and its notorious ally Israel — voted to terminate the antiquated embargo.

Cuba introduced the largely symbolic annual resolution demanding relief from the crippling U.S.-imposed “blockade” that has contentiously left its citizens stranded in the 1950s. Though the yearly vote cannot be enforced, clearly America and Israel stand against virtually the entire planet by insisting such incapacitating constraints continue to have any merit.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez starkly explained the true results of the embargo: “The human damage it has caused is inestimable.”

Considering the recent opening of diplomatic relations, lifting of travel restrictions between the longstanding Cold War rivals — not to mention removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism — an extension of the economic throttle seems all but impossible to justify. For each of the past 23 years similar measures to lift the embargo have been proposed, however, they’ve consistently been blocked by the U.S. and Israel — despite international outcry.

More:
http://theantimedia.org/191-countries-just-slammed-the-us-devastating-decades-long-embargo-of-cuba/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Despite US objection, UN overwhelmingly condemns embargo on Cuba

Despite US objection, UN overwhelmingly condemns embargo on Cuba
csmonitor icon

The US was one of two countries to vote 'no' against a UN resolution condemning its embargo on Cuba.

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press October 27, 2015

UNITED NATIONS — The United States on Tuesday voted against a U.N. resolution condemning its embargo on Cuba, even though President Barack Obama has called on Congress to lift the trade restrictions. The vote was the first since the U.S. and Cuban leaders agreed to restore diplomatic ties last December, and the U.S. had considered taking the unprecedented step of abstaining.

The General Assembly voted 191-2 to condemn the commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba, the highest number of votes ever for the measure. Only Israel joined the United States in opposing the resolution, and when the vote lit up on the screen many diplomats jumped to their feet in a standing ovation.

General Assembly resolutions are nonbinding and unenforceable but the annual exercise — now in its 24th year — has given Cuba a global stage to demonstrate America's isolation on the embargo and its Cuba policy.

The Associated Press reported last month that the United States considered abstaining in hopes of pressuring Congress to end the embargo.

More:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2015/1027/Despite-US-objection-UN-overwhelmingly-condemns-embargo-on-Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

2. UN condemns US embargo on Cuba

UN condemns US embargo on Cuba
October 29, 2015

UNITED NATIONS: A total 191 members of the 193-member UN General Assembly voted in support of a resolution condemning an economic embargo imposed by the US on Cuba, saying that existence of such restrictions undermines multilateralism and credibility of the UN.

In a near unanimous vote, the General Assembly on Tuesday adopted the resolution renewing its call for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US against Cuba, while also acknowledging the restoration, after nearly 50 years, of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Israel and the US were the only two countries to vote against the resolution, which got the support of the remaining 191 UNGA members.

The Assembly welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, announced last July, and the willingness of US President Barack Obama to work towards the lifting of the economic, financial and trade embargo against Cuba.

Read more: http://gulftoday.ae/portal/8ff06923-e668-4130-97c8-07052b6d0776.aspx

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Only one other country in the United Nations supports the U.S. embargo of Cuba

by Casey Tolan
October 28, 2015

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to condemn the continued U.S. trade embargo of Cuba—and only one other country in the assembly backed the blockade.

The General Assembly voted 191 in favor and 2 opposed for the symbolic resolution calling the policy illegitimate. The only two countries voting against the resolution were the United States and, perhaps unsurprisingly, Israel.

A similar resolution has been passed by the General Assembly every year for the past 23 years. This is the first time that the demand for ending the blockade looks like it could become reality.

While President Obama has made moves to ease travel and commerce between the U.S. and Cuba, and both countries re-opened their respective embassies this summer, lifting the trade embargo will require approval by Congress. Legislation to change the 55-year policy is working its way through the legislature, where it faces opposition from some Republicans.

More:
http://fusion.net/story/222868/united-nations-cuba-trade-embargo-vote/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=/section/news/feed/

[oldandhappy]

3. about time we are held accountable

[Demeter]

4. And the Ironic Thing Is: the Embargo Probably Saved Cuba, Just as the Sanctions Save Russia

Both Russia and Cuba are stronger countries today because they had to go it alone...the US shunned them both (hell, all of Europe was shunning Mother Russia, on US demanded after toppling the Ukrainian govt. and the successful Crimean bid to choose Russia).

It's called autarchy:

au·tar·ky
ˈôˌtärkē/

noun: autarky; noun: autarchy

economic independence or self-sufficiency.

a country, state, or society that is economically independent.

When one is forced to be an autarchy, then there is no outside resource available to fix mistakes, or frivol on. And so, Cuba decided to play to its strengths. Russia decided to improve its domestic industry. And both nations were steadfast friends.

There's a lesson in this for jumped-up State Dept. wonks. If they are smart enough to learn it.

The USA has spent its international capital foolishly. There's little regard for any part of America, now. In ratings, we are second- if not third-rate. Our economy is a lemon that the dealers cannot fix, because it was designed by greedy idiots. Every good thing has been lost in the last 50 years, by stupidity or treachery.


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As long as Cuba and Russia support each other, and hold the US at arm's length, I think they will be all right.

[2naSalit]

5. And our aleged "leaders" will likely

just flip them all off and carry on as before. Even if we the "little people" want the embargo to end, our "leaders" will ignore us and the UN.