Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno delivered a powerful statement on Wednesday, condemning the Cuban dictatorship after Argentina voted against the annual UN resolution regarding the embargo. Quirno declared that "the Cuban regime cannot continue to use sovereignty as an excuse to oppress its people, engage in political persecution, suppress freedoms, and deny fundamental rights."
In a message shared on X, Quirno clarified Argentina's stance, stating that the nation voted against the resolution because "there is no freedom without democracy, nor economic development without respect for private property and individual rights."
The UN General Assembly vote on Wednesday resulted in 130 in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions, marking the worst outcome for Cuba since it first proposed this initiative in 1992. Joining the bloc of 17 countries rejecting the resolution were the United States, Israel, Paraguay, Ukraine, Hungary, and ten others who changed their stance from the previous year: Austria, Barbados, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Lithuania, Morocco, Slovenia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The collapse in support for Cuba is stark compared to 2024, when the resolution received 187 votes in favor and only two against. In just two years, support dropped by 57 votes, and rejections increased more than eightfold. Even Germany, which had consistently backed the resolution since 2002, chose to abstain this time.
Quirno emphasized that the outcome signifies "a significant change in the international landscape," noting that "more and more Latin American countries are aligning with a position that prioritizes freedom, democracy, and individual rights on the regional agenda." He also expressed Argentina's solidarity with the Cuban people in their "legitimate aspiration to live in freedom, with democratic institutions and under the rule of law."
This marks Argentina's second consecutive vote against the resolution, solidifying the diplomatic shift initiated under the leadership of Javier Milei. The immediate precedent was the October 2024 scandal, when then-Foreign Minister Diana Mondino maintained the country's historic position and voted in favor—resulting in her swift dismissal. Milei deemed that decision a "betrayal." In 2025, with Gerardo Werthein at the helm of the Foreign Ministry, Argentina voted against the resolution for the first time, joining only six other nations.
Cuba's Diplomatic Isolation Deepens
The lead-up to the vote was marked by a tense diplomatic incident. On Tuesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla approached the podium where U.S. Ambassador Michael Waltz was speaking, prompting session president Khalilur Rahman to suspend proceedings. Waltz had presented delegates with images showcasing the lavish lifestyles of Cuba's elite and cited data about the profits of the military conglomerate GAESA.
Despite the historic drop in support, the Cuban Foreign Ministry celebrated the outcome with a graphic declaring "Victory for Cuba." However, the resolution is not legally binding; its approval does not alter or lift the embargo, which can only be changed by the U.S. Congress.
The peak of support for Cuba came in 2016, during the thaw with the Obama administration, when the resolution garnered 191 votes in favor and none against—a scenario that now seems distant amid the regime's growing diplomatic isolation.
Understanding the Shift in International Support for Cuba
What was Argentina's recent stance on the UN resolution about the Cuban embargo?
Argentina voted against the UN resolution on the Cuban embargo, emphasizing the need for democracy and individual rights.
How has support for Cuba changed in recent years?
Support for Cuba has drastically declined, with a significant drop in votes in favor of the resolution compared to previous years.
What incident occurred during the UN General Assembly session?
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla interrupted a session by approaching the podium where U.S. Ambassador Michael Waltz was speaking, causing a temporary suspension.