【Text by Observers Network, Yuan Jiaqi】

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the U.S. government adopted an adversarial policy toward Cuba and imposed economic, financial blockades, and trade embargoes on Cuba since 1962. Since 1992, the United Nations General Assembly has annually voted on resolutions requesting the U.S. to lift the blockade against Cuba, and these resolutions have consistently received overwhelming support from the international community.

However, for this non-binding resolution of the UN General Assembly, the U.S. has always acted against it and refused to comply. Especially since the Trump administration took office, it has further intensified sanctions against Cuba, and even reclassified it as a "state sponsor of terrorism," which led to strong condemnation from Cuba.

The U.S. actions have not stopped. According to a report by Reuters on October 5, internal U.S. State Department cables obtained by them indicate that the Trump administration is mobilizing U.S. diplomats to lobby allies against the UN General Assembly resolution calling for lifting the embargo on Cuba.

The report said that as part of this lobbying campaign, U.S. diplomats will disclose so-called "details" to allies, accusing the Cuban government of "actively supporting Russia's 'invasion' of Ukraine."

The U.S. claims that as many as 5,000 Cubans are collaborating with Russian forces in combat. As of the time of writing, officials from the Cuban mission to the United Nations have not responded to requests for comment.

On October 30, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority urging the U.S. to end its economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. United Nations website

According to the report, this non-confidential cable dated October 2 has been sent to dozens of U.S. embassies abroad, instructing U.S. diplomats to urge host governments to oppose the aforementioned UN General Assembly resolution.

The cable stated that over the years, the strategy used by the U.S. to weaken support for the resolution mainly focused on emphasizing the "legitimacy" of the embargo measures, the U.S. policy of providing exemptions for food and medicine trade, and the so-called "human rights issues" in Cuba.

However, the document admitted that none of these strategies had an impact on the voting results. The cable then listed nearly 20 lobbying arguments, several of which instructed U.S. diplomats to accuse "Cuba of wasting limited resources, depriving people of basic human rights, and posing a threat to international peace."

One of the arguments claimed that Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is actively supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. The cable stated, "In addition to North Korea, Cuba is the largest foreign troop contributor to Russia's 'aggression' operation, with an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 Cubans fighting in Ukraine."

According to Reuters, in a Saturday email statement, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department declined to provide more details about the so-called "Cuban combat personnel," but stated that the U.S. was aware of reports regarding Cubans collaborating with Russian forces in Ukraine. The spokesperson used this to attack the Cuban regime, claiming that it "failed to protect its citizens, allowing them to be pawns in the Ukraine conflict."

Additionally, the cable turned the blame around, criticizing the UN General Assembly resolution for "wrongly attributing Cuba's problems to the U.S.", while the U.S. believes that Cuba's problems are caused by its own "corruption and incompetence."

The U.S. State Department's statement also argued that Cuba is using this annual UN resolution as a tool to "portray itself as a victim," and that Cuba "should not receive support from the U.S.'s democratic allies."

The U.S. statement claimed, "The Trump administration will not stand by and will not support an illegal regime that undermines our national security interests in the region."

The cable added that the goal of this lobbying effort is to demonstrate the Trump administration's opposition stance, thereby significantly reducing the number of votes in favor of the resolution.

The cable stated, "Voting against it is ideal, but abstaining or not attending and not voting is also helpful. The U.S. needs the support of allies and like-minded partners in this effort."

Last year on October 30, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution again urging the U.S. to end its economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba, with 187 votes in favor, 2 votes (the U.S. and Israel) against, and 1 vote (Moldova) abstained. This marked the 32nd consecutive similar resolution passed by the General Assembly.

Paul Formbs, the U.S. senior advisor for Western Hemisphere affairs at the time, still made excuses during his speech. He claimed, "Sanctions are part of a broader set of tools the U.S. uses to promote democracy, respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms in Cuba."

Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez scoffed at the U.S. argument, saying, "The U.S. government often claims its policies aim to 'help and support the Cuban people.' Who would believe such a claim?"

On September 27 local time, Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, China Daily

This September 17, Rodríguez introduced in Havana that, according to current prices, the U.S. embargo against Cuba for over 60 years has cost Cuba more than $170.6 billion, which is the main obstacle to Cuba's economic recovery, growth, and development.

He pointed out that the economic losses caused by the U.S. embargo to Cuba in the period from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, reached $7.556 billion.

Mr. Rodríguez emphasized that although the U.S. embargo has brought great suffering to Cuba, it will not make Cuba give up its constitution, revolution, and socialism. The Cuban people have shown strong resilience, creativity, and determination.

He said that the United Nations General Assembly will review the draft resolution "must end the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba" from October 28 to 29, and it is expected to receive almost unanimous support from the international community.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7557756573653746218/

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