UN General Assembly approves resolution urging US to end embargo on Cuba

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a draft resolution on Thursday that called for the US to lift the economic and trade embargo imposed on Cuba since 1960.

The resolution garnered 187 votes, with only two opposing -- the US and Israel. Ukraine abstained in the 193-member assembly.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said the more than 60-year blockade violates the rights of all Cuban men and women.

"Cuba is prevented from buying from US companies and its subsidiaries in third countries, equipment, technologies, medical devices and end use pharmaceuticals, and is therefore forced to acquire them at exorbitant prices by way of intermediaries or to replace them with less-effective generic drugs," he said.

The General Assembly has consistently demanded the US to terminate the embargo, adopting similar draft resolutions since 2012.

The non-binding nature of the resolution makes it advisory, reflecting the collective stance of the international community.

Parrilla said 80% of the population has never known life without the crippling US blockade/

It is "an act of economic warfare, in times of peace," which creates a “situation of ungovernability and an attempt to destroy the constitutional order," he said.