Paraguay's Historic UN Vote Against Cuba: A Stand for Democratic Principles

Paraguay's decision to vote against the UN resolution that called for the end of the U.S. embargo on Cuba marked a historic shift in the country's foreign policy and broke away from the traditional Latin American majority that typically supports the Havana regime.

International analyst Mario Paz Castaing views this as a gesture of "democratic consistency" and a defense of freedom and human rights values in the face of the continent's oldest dictatorship.

In an interview with Asunción's El Nacional, Castaing emphasized that the Paraguayan vote "breaks a decades-long diplomatic tradition" and represents "a stance aligned with the protection of democracy and institutions." He argues that this is not merely an ideological decision but a principled stand:

"It's a historic position for Paraguay against the Castro dictatorship, the oldest dictatorship in the Americas... It seems consistent because it is also about respecting institutions and democracy."

A New Epoch in Latin American Diplomacy

The vote on October 29 at the UN General Assembly resulted in 165 votes in favor, 7 against, and 12 abstentions, highlighting the political isolation of the Cuban regime, which experienced its worst result in over a decade.

Alongside the United States, Israel, Hungary, North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Argentina, Paraguay joined the coalition of countries that opposed the resolution promoted by Havana.

According to Castaing, Asunción's decision does not signify a diplomatic break, but rather a reaffirmation of principles:

"Maintaining relations, even if only consular, is important as it allows us to stand with the Cuban people and witness their situation," he explained to El Nacional.

The Paraguayan gesture comes at a time when several countries in the region, including Argentina, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, have distanced themselves from Castroism and adopted more critical positions towards authoritarian regimes.

Experts consulted by CiberCuba indicate that Asunción's vote symbolizes a "new era of democratic maturity in Latin America," where ideological solidarity gives way to the defense of fundamental freedoms.

Cuba's Waning International Support

Paraguay's decision is part of a broader context in which Cuba is losing international support at an unprecedented rate. This year, the resolution presented by Havana received 22 fewer votes than in 2024, reflecting a decline in global support for its "genocidal blockade" rhetoric.

Diplomatic sources warn that the erosion of support is due to the moral and political exhaustion of the regime, as increased internal repression, mass exodus, corruption, and accusations of Cuban mercenaries in the Ukraine war have undermined its credibility, even among former allies.

In this scenario, Paraguay's vote stands as a symbol of democratic dignity against a regime that has denied freedoms for over six decades. As Mario Paz Castaing summarized:

"It is important to stand by the people and their freedom. Classical and constitutional democracy remains our model, and we must uphold it consistently before the world."

While the Cuban regime celebrates what it calls a "moral victory," the diplomatic landscape paints a different picture. Increasingly, countries are turning their backs on Havana. With its vote, Paraguay aligns itself with those who believe true solidarity lies with the Cuban people, not their dictatorship.