U.N. vote on Cuba embargo again pits U.S. against world

[Judi Lynn]

U.N. vote on Cuba embargo again pits U.S. against world
By Paul Guzzo | Tribune Staff
Published: October 26, 2014

TAMPA — A vote this week in the United Nations will serve as a reminder of the long-standing U.S. policy to isolate Cuba as a means of encouraging moves toward democratic rule there. It’s a vote that also spotlights U.S. isolation on the issue. On Tuesday, the U.N. General Assembly takes up a resolution on “the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.”

For the 23rd straight year, the assembly is expected overwhelmingly to condemn the U.S. policy. Last year, the vote was 188-2, with Israel joining the U.S. in supporting the status quo.

Key U.S. leaders pay the numbers no heed, including Florida’s Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio put Cuba in the company of North Korea and Iran during a Senate floor speech earlier this year, saying, “If America and its policymakers are not going to be firmly on the side of freedom and liberty, who in the world is?” But this time, a more conciliatory response may follow the U.N. vote.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the Tampa Democrat, said she has spoken with President Barack Obama on the issue and believes he may make a major announcement on relations with Cuba by April to show he is committed to normalizing relations — something he pledged to work toward during his first campaign for the White House.

More:
http://tbo.com/news/politics/un-vote-on-cuba-embargo-again-pits-us-against-world-20141026/

[djean111]

1. Why don't we put an embargo on Communist China?

By the way, Rubio's parents came to Florida well before Castro took power. Rubio used to lie about that, saying they fled Castro.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Obama recently renewed the embargo ...

in time for the elections. Yay US.