United States Applauds Cuba's Setback at the UN: "The World Begins to Resist the Regime's Propaganda"

On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, hailed the historic outcome of the annual vote on the Cuba embargo as a clear indicator that the international community is starting to turn its back on Havana. Meanwhile, the Cuban delegation, led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, cheered the results as the American delegation walked out in protest.

Resolution A/81/L.5, which opposes the embargo on Cuba, was passed with 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions. This marks the worst outcome for this initiative since it was first introduced by Cuba in 1992.

Waltz took to X to state that "nearly three times as many nations voted against, abstained, or simply did not vote, rejecting Havana's fraudulent resolution at the UN." He added, "There is still work to be done, but the world is starting to resist the Cuban regime's propaganda as its corruption and oppression come to light."

The decline is stark when compared to recent years. In 2024, the resolution received 187 votes in favor and only two against; in 2025, it dropped to 165 in favor and seven against. This year, it plummeted to 130 in favor and 17 against, losing 57 supporters and increasing opposing votes more than eightfold in just two years.

Changing Stances on the Cuba Embargo

Among the 12 countries that altered their stance from 2025 to vote against were Austria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Barbados, Guatemala, Lithuania, Morocco, Slovenia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Of the 25 nations that abstained, Germany stood out, having consistently supported the resolution since 2002, alongside Chile, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras, and Greece, among others.

Despite the historic drop in support, the Cuban Foreign Ministry celebrated the outcome on social media with a graphic declaring "Victory for Cuba" and the slogan "Cuba is not a threat, the blockade is."

Tensions at the UN General Assembly

The result came a day after heightened tensions at the General Assembly, when Rodríguez Parrilla physically approached the podium where Waltz was speaking, prompting session president Khalilur Rahman to suspend proceedings briefly and instruct the Cuban minister to return to his seat.

During his speech, Waltz presented delegates with photos of Fidel Castro's Rolex watches valued at $40,000—equivalent to 55 years of the average salary in Cuba—Hermès ties, and Montblanc pens belonging to Díaz-Canel, as well as images of the private island Cayo Piedra, featuring a floating restaurant, dolphin lagoon, and a 50-meter yacht belonging to the Castro family.

Simultaneously, a member of the Cuban delegation, Richard Tur de la Concepción, first secretary of the permanent mission to the UN, attempted to seize the phone of Waltz's spokesman, J.P. Freire, who was recording the confrontation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed documents to expel the Cuban diplomat, and Waltz announced that he would be on a flight to Havana within 24 hours, warning, "If you lay a hand on an American here in the United States, President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and I will not tolerate it. There will be consequences."

Communism's Inequality and Cuban Regime's Wealth

In an interview with Fox News, Waltz described the regime's behavior at the UN: "Sadly, the only thing equal about communism is that everyone is equally poor. But the regime comes to the United Nations year after year to use this forum as a propaganda platform to portray itself as a victim."

The ambassador also referenced an investigation by the Miami Herald, revealing that the Cuban military conglomerate GAESA amassed $18 billion in profits and $14 billion in cash in secret accounts, and highlighted the existence of 800 political prisoners on the island.

"One way or another, the Cuban people will see freedom, and I believe they will see it during President Trump's term," Waltz concluded.