(CLO) On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly once again called on the United States to end its decades-long embargo on Cuba, in a resolution that most of the world supported - including Argentina's foreign minister, who was fired shortly afterwards.
Only the US and Israel objected.
Specifically, the vote result at the 193-member General Assembly was 187 in favor and only 2 against, the US and Israel, with one abstention and no vote. It equaled the record of support for lifting the embargo on Cuba in 2019 and again last year.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez blamed the US administration's "maximum pressure policy" for depriving Cuba of fuel imports it needed to sustain widespread power outages this month, including when Hurricane Oscar hit the island.
Ambassador Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, Cuban Foreign Minister, speaks at the United Nations Security Council. AP photo.
“The Biden administration has often claimed that its policy is to ‘help and support the Cuban people,’” he said. “Who would believe such a claim?”
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they reflect world opinion, and the vote gave Cuba an annual forum to demonstrate that the United States has spent decades trying to isolate the Caribbean nation.
Cuba has been struggling with one of the worst economic and energy crises in its history. In addition to power outages, the embargo has crippled the population with food shortages and inflation. Hundreds of thousands have emigrated, many to the United States.
The US embargo was imposed in 1960 after the revolution led by Fidel Castro and the nationalization of assets belonging to US citizens and corporations. The embargo was strengthened two years later.
Cuba has lost more than $16 billion under President Biden, Rodriguez said. Noting the US presidential election next week, the Cuban minister said the winner will have the opportunity to decide whether to continue “the inhumane blockade of the past six decades” or listen to the growing number of Americans and most countries, “and allow our country to develop its true potential and capabilities.”
Mr Rodriguez said Cuba would defend “the right to build an independent, socialist future”. But he also said Cuba was ready for “serious and responsible dialogue and towards a constructive and civilised relationship” with the new US administration.
Argentine Foreign Minister dismissed for supporting
In connection with the vote at the UN General Assembly, Argentine President Javier Milei on Wednesday dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino after she voted in favor of lifting the US embargo on Cuba at the United Nations.
Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino has been dismissed. Photo: Getty
President Milei, who takes office in late 2023, is openly pro-American and has taken a tough stance on Cuba and Venezuela like Washington.
Gerardo Werthein, who is currently Argentina's ambassador to the United States, will replace Mondino as foreign minister, presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni told X.
Ms Mondino has been praised for playing a key role in maintaining good diplomatic relations with international partners, despite President Milei's extreme comments about countries such as Brazil and China.
Milei was having lunch when he received a call from Ambassador Werthein about Argentina's vote to lift the embargo on Cuba, which angered the right-wing leader, local news agency TN reported.
Earlier this year, Argentina’s state-owned energy company YPF said it would no longer supply fuel to Cuba’s Cubana airline, forcing the airline to suspend flights between Havana and Buenos Aires. The Cuban foreign ministry said at the time that Argentine officials had cited the U.S. embargo to defend the move.
Hoang Anh (according to UN, AP, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ca-the-gioi-ung-ho-bo-cam-van-cua-bo-truong-ngoai-giao-argentina-dong-y-va-bi-cach-chuc-post319230.html
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