The U.S. State Department launched a direct diplomatic offensive this Wednesday against Cuba's annual resolution presented at the United Nations General Assembly. The department warned that supporting this resolution is tantamount to endorsing the exploitation of Cuban workers and the extravagant lifestyles of the regime's elite.
Juan Pablo Segura, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, stated on his official X account that "voting in favor of the Cuban regime's resolution means supporting state-sponsored human trafficking, corruption, and the opulent lifestyles of the dictatorship's elite."
Segura's message was accompanied by an official State Department infographic titled "What the Cuban Regime Doesn't Want You to Know," specifically designed to counter the Cuban resolution ahead of the vote scheduled for October 27 and 28.
Key Accusations Against Havana
The document outlines three main accusations against Havana. First, it criticizes the foreign missions system, alleging that the regime "pockets up to 95% of the foreign wages of Cuban workers, particularly healthcare professionals, to finance its repressive machinery and security forces."
The second accusation labels these missions as exploitative: "Cuban workers are essentially subjected to forced labor when they join regime-controlled brigades abroad." It further claims that healthcare professionals are sent overseas with inadequate training, performing procedures without proper preparation.
The third accusation links the regime to the conflict in Ukraine: "Thousands of Cuban citizens have been sent to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, many dispatched directly by Havana or under forced labor conditions, acting as saboteurs even within NATO and EU territories."
Diplomatic Tensions and Protests
Segura's statement comes after a week of intense diplomatic activity in New York. On October 19, the U.S. mission to the UN hosted the forum "Free Cuba: The Oppression Havana Hides," featuring ambassador Mike Waltz, opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, among others.
On the same day, Cuban diplomats staged a protest in the UN corridors against the forum's participants, shouting "terrorists," "liars," and "get out of the UN" while filming them. Cuba's permanent representative, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, had attempted to block the event, dismissing it as a "politically motivated maneuver."
Privileges of the Cuban Elite
Ambassador Waltz also condemned the privileges enjoyed by the Cuban elite, such as guaranteed electricity for the Castro family’s residential complex, a private plane, and a private island featuring twenty houses and a dolphin lagoon.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported to the UN that over 1,000 Cubans had signed contracts with Russian Armed Forces between 2023 and 2025. Amnesty International documented testimonies of Cubans lured by false job offers and sent to the front lines.
Declining Support for Cuban Resolution
The resolution, titled "Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Embargo Imposed by the United States of America against Cuba," has seen diminishing support since its introduction in 1992. It received 187 votes in favor in 2024, dropping to 165 in 2025, with seven votes against and 12 abstentions.
On October 14, an international coalition of over 1,000 democratic Cuban organizations urged democratic governments to reject or abstain from voting on this year's resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Stance on Cuba's UN Resolution
Why is the U.S. opposing Cuba's annual UN resolution?
The U.S. opposes the resolution because it believes supporting it endorses state-sponsored human trafficking, corruption, and the privileges of the Cuban regime's elite.
What are the main accusations against the Cuban regime?
The accusations include the exploitation of Cuban workers through foreign missions, forced labor conditions, and involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
How has international support for Cuba's resolution changed over the years?
Support for the resolution has decreased, with votes dropping from 187 in favor in 2024 to 165 in 2025, indicating a decline in backing.