Antigua and Barbuda has once again reaffirmed its solidarity with Cuba, joining a chorus of 186 other nations in a resolute call to end the United States’ long-standing embargo against the Caribbean island.

This significant vote occurred during a session of the United Nations. Only the United States and Israel opposed the resolution, with the Republic of Moldova choosing to abstain.

The discussion was especially poignant in light of the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Oscar, which not only intensified severe power outages across Cuba but also tragically claimed the lives of six individuals.

During this critical juncture, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Aubrey Webson, delivered a compelling and heartfelt address that underscored the profound suffering caused by the 62-year-old blockade.

Dr. Webson painted a vivid picture of the “untold stress” inflicted upon the Cuban population due to the embargo, emphasizing that it has become “the main obstacle to the sustainable development of Cuba.”

He articulated how this enduring embargo continues to erode human rights within the Caribbean nation, stating, “This unjust blockade of more than six decades has caused untold stress to the people of Cuba and brought about much distress to many families and individuals within her shores.”

Throughout his powerful presentation to the Assembly, the Ambassador also championed the cause of lifting Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, describing this classification as “unfair and unjust.”

He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda aligns with the views of five UN Human Rights Council mandate holders who have raised concerns regarding the transparency and clarity surrounding such designations.

Delving into the embargo’s wider implications, Dr. Webson argued that the ongoing restrictions jeopardize the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, threaten the 2030 agenda, and hinder the recently adopted Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS).

Furthermore, he praised Cuba’s unwavering commitment to providing technical assistance to Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean nations in diverse fields such as health, culture, environment, and energy.

Dr. Webson called for a spirit of reconciliation and urged both the United States and Cuba to “come together along the table of diplomacy” to address their differences and pave the way for a new relationship grounded in mutual respect and cooperation.

The resolution, formally titled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” has been introduced annually since 1992 and has consistently garnered overwhelming support from the international community.