UN condemns US embargo of Cuba for 20th year

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday overwhelmingly backed the 20th annual condemnation of the US blockade of Cuba. Amid strong criticism of the United States, the annual resolution was passed by 186 votes to two - the United States and its ally Israel - with three abstentions. Last year it had 187 votes in favour.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the US administration of intensifying restrictions on trade and economic contacts with the communist island in recent years. He told the General Assembly the annual votes highlight "the uncomfortable isolation of the aggressor country and the heroic resistance of a people that refuse to give on its sovereign rights." The United States officially imposed the trade and economic blockade in 1962, tightening restrictions applied after Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba.