UN General Assembly Votes 136-9 to End U.S. Cuba Blockade

The United Nations General Assembly voted 136 to 9 on July 7, 2026, to pass a resolution demanding the United States end its economic and energy blockade of Cuba. Only the United States, Israel, and Ukraine voted against the measure, while 30 nations, including Canada, Australia, and 15 European countries, abstained.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla led the push for the resolution, presenting images of blackouts and medical facilities lit by cell phones to illustrate the humanitarian impact. He accused the U.S. of committing genocide and implementing an energy siege that he characterized as an act of war. Simultaneously, an international manifesto signed by 8,840 people from 58 countries condemned the militaristic rhetoric of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

U.S. representatives rejected the accusations, with Ambassador Mike Waltz and Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos describing the session as a whitewashing exercise intended to hide the Cuban government's internal corruption and incompetence. The U.S. team further argued that Havana uses the assembly as a machinery of repression.

Diplomatic support for Cuba appeared to shift among regional allies. Several Caribbean Community members abstained or skipped the vote. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar stated she could not support the Cuban regime without the implementation of free and fair elections.