The administration of US President Barack Obama administration tried to defend the nearly half-century-old US economic blockade on Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) October 28. The result was another overwhelming vote, 187-3, telling Washington that enough's enough.
Only Israel, the top foreign aid receiver from the US, and the tiny island of Palau supported the US position.
This is the 18th year in a row the UNGA has voted against the US blockade. The Cuban mission to the UN said that, last year, the blockade cost the small island nation US$242.4 million.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the UNGA: "The economic blockade has not met, nor will it meet, its purpose of bending the patriotic determination of the Cuban people."
However, Rodriguez said, "it generates shortages [and] is no doubt, the fundamental obstacle that hinders the economic development of our country".
Rodriguez said: "Since Barack Obama took office last January, absolutely nothing has changed in the enforcement of the economic, commercial and financial blockade on Cuba."
[Abridged from the Havana Times.]