165 nations opposed U.S. Cuba embargo last year

The United Nations General Assembly votes Wednesday on a resolution condemning the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. The measure is nonbinding, but it reflects global opinion on the decades long trade restrictions.

This is the 34th consecutive year the assembly has considered the issue. Last year, 165 member states voted for the resolution, while seven voted against it and 12 abstained. Analysts expect a similar margin of support this time, though the Trump administration is actively lobbying to increase opposition from Western allies.

President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified its campaign against Cuba’s socialist government. This effort includes what officials describe as a maximum pressure policy designed to undermine the island’s economy. The move coincides with a deepening financial crisis in Cuba, where shortages and inflation have strained daily life.

Tensions have risen further after the president suggested U.S. military intervention. Last week, Trump stated that American warships could stop in Cuba on their way back from the Iran war. The remark added a new layer of uncertainty to the diplomatic standoff.

The resolution will be put to a vote by the 193 member states. While the outcome is not legally enforceable, the result will signal how the international community views Washington’s approach to the Caribbean island.