UN votes to condemn embargo of Cuba despite US lobbying push

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba, with 130 votes in favour and 17 against, including the United States and Israel. Twenty-five countries abstained, among them Germany and Italy, which had previously supported the resolution. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Washington was “once again isolated” in its effort to strangle the Cuban people. The Trump administration has tightened economic restrictions, including an energy blockade, while US officials sought to persuade more countries to abstain.