UN General Assembly Condemns US Embargo on Cuba in 130-17 Vote

Trinidad and Tobago voted with the United States against a UN resolution calling for an end to the American embargo on Cuba, breaking with more than three decades of support for lifting it. The shift puts T&T at odds with much of Caricom and comes as the General Assembly again backed the non-binding call by 130 votes to 17.

The U.N. General Assembly voted 130-17, with 25 abstentions, to condemn the U.S. embargo on Cuba for the 34th straight year, but support dropped sharply as several Western countries and others broke with past backing. The vote comes as Cuba faces worsening shortages and blackouts amid escalating U.S. pressure over its government.

Former minister Winston Dookeran is urging Trinidad and Tobago to defend Cuba’s sovereignty and oppose the US embargo, saying the Caribbean should not be drawn into major-power geopolitics. His comments followed a heated UN General Assembly clash between US and Cuban delegates over the decades-long embargo, which briefly suspended proceedings. Trinidad and Tobago made no statement during the debate.

Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley is among 12 former Caribbean leaders backing a letter urging countries to vote at the UN General Assembly for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. The signatories say the sanctions violate international law and Cuba’s sovereignty, and they want governments to resist US pressure ahead of the October 28 vote.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused former Caribbean leaders, including ex-prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, of hypocrisy for urging support for the UN vote calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. The debate has sharpened pressure on Trinidad and Tobago, with former ministers and social groups pushing for a yes vote while analysts expect another abstention.