The Cuban regime's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, alleged on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is exerting pressure on heads of state and government to influence their stance in the upcoming annual United Nations General Assembly vote on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 28.
The accusation was made via the social media platform X, a day after the State Department confirmed that Rubio contacted Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on Tuesday to urge him to align with Washington on "shared priorities" at the UN, including the Cuban issue.
"The U.S. Secretary of State, anxious and nervous about another looming defeat at the United Nations, is pressuring and coercing heads of state and governments of various countries to change their votes against the blockade at the UN General Assembly," Rodríguez wrote.
Rodríguez further accused Rubio of attempting to mask what he described as the "collective punishment" of the Trump administration against the Cuban people with "repeated lies," aiming to make the rest of the international community an accessory to these actions.
An Erosion of Support for Cuba
The regime's reaction highlights its unease over a diplomatic offensive from Washington that has been gaining traction: automatic support for Cuba at the UN has significantly waned over the past two years.
During the October 2025 vote, the resolution garnered 165 votes in favor, compared to 187 in 2024, with 7 against and 12 abstentions. Notably, Argentina, traditionally a supporter of Havana, voted against for the first time under the leadership of Javier Milei.
In a special session convened by Cuba in July 2026 to discuss the embargo, only 136 votes were in favor, with 9 against and 30 abstentions.
Allegations of Coercion Amidst Contradictions
The charge of "coercion" is particularly striking coming from a government that itself exerts considerable influence over nations hosting Cuban medical missions.
Washington asserts that the Cuban regime retains between 50% and 95% of payments those countries make for Cuban professionals' services, a practice the U.S. labels as "forced labor." In 2026, several Caribbean nations either suspended or altered their agreements with these missions following U.S. pressure.
The Cuban government estimates the embargo's cost from March 2025 to February 2026 at $8.0833 billion—the highest recorded figure, allegedly 7% more than the previous period—and claims a historical total exceeding $178.7 billion at current prices. These are official Cuban figures lacking independent verification. Rodríguez noted that these numbers only account for the first month following the executive order signed by Trump on January 29, 2026, which restricted all fuel imports to the island.
Opposition Calls for International Action
Meanwhile, over 554 Cuban dissidents, activists, and organizations—including José Daniel Ferrer, Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, and Jorge Luis García Pérez "Antúnez"—released a letter on Tuesday addressed to democratic governments in the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Latin America. They urged these countries to vote against or abstain from the October 28 resolution, arguing that supporting the resolution benefits the regime, not the Cuban people.
The annual resolution on the embargo has been debated at the General Assembly since 1992 and has never been binding. The embargo was enacted on February 3, 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed the executive order that established it.
Frequently Asked Questions about the UN Embargo Vote
What is the significance of the UN General Assembly vote on the Cuban embargo?
The UN General Assembly vote on the Cuban embargo is an annual event that reflects international sentiment toward the U.S. embargo on Cuba. While the resolution is not binding, it serves as a powerful indicator of global opinion.
How has support for Cuba at the UN changed in recent years?
Support for Cuba at the UN has decreased notably in the last two years, with fewer countries voting in favor of the resolution and notable allies like Argentina changing their stance.
What actions has the U.S. taken against Cuban medical missions?
The U.S. has pressured various countries to reconsider their agreements with Cuban medical missions, which it accuses of engaging in "forced labor" by withholding a significant portion of the wages paid for these services.