On October 27 local time, the 81st United Nations General Assembly reviewed a draft resolution calling for the termination of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Warren, claimed that there was no such blockade, and repeatedly criticized Cuban leaders.
According to the Associated Press, members of the Cuban delegation at the scene began to slam the tables loudly, demanding a procedural question be raised.
According to CCTV International News, Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez repeatedly used Article 71 of the United Nations rules (Note: Representatives may raise procedural questions at any time during discussions, and the President of the General Assembly must immediately rule on such procedural questions according to the rules) to interrupt Walz's speech, expressing strong protest. When Walz finished his speech and stepped down from the stage, some people at the scene shouted that he was a 'scammer' and called for 'letting Cuba live'.
The United States has imposed trade embargoes on Cuba for over 60 years. Since January, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Cuba, imposing fuel embargoes on this island nation and imposing severe sanctions on a large number of Cuban officials and state entities. Although the United Nations’ vote opposing the U.S. embargo has political implications, it is only the U.S. Congress that can lift this embargo from the Cold War era.
Previously, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the United States of threatening member states of the United Nations. It is reported that the Trump administration stated that it would impose sanctions on countries that support Cuba in the annual UN voting process. This voting involves a resolution demanding an end to the US blockade of this island nation.
At a press conference in Havana, Rodriguez told reporters that U.S. officials have threatened to deny visas to member states of the United Nations that support Cuba, and to impose trade and economic sanctions on them.
The US State Department is exerting unprecedented pressure—sometimes even through the personal efforts of the Secretary of State in a public and outspoken manner—to get UN member states to change their votes, according to Rodriguez.
