Cuba seeks UN debate on US embargo, accuses Washington of pressure and humanitarian harm

Cuba’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ernesto Soberón, and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez (also quoted by Director‑General Pedro Luis Pedroso) announced that Havana will request an extraordinary UN General Assembly session on 7 July to denounce the United States’ long‑standing embargo. Cuban officials say the latest U.S. measures – an energy blockade that has left the island with severe fuel shortages, prolonged power outages and a humanitarian crisis – amount to “a crime against humanity, genocide and collective punishment.”

They allege Washington is exerting “unprecedented pressure” on other UN member states to prevent the debate, citing a leaked cable involving Senator Marco Rubio that shows U.S. diplomats urging countries to oppose the resolution. Cuba calls the U.S. actions a multidimensional aggression that violates international law and the UN Charter, while asserting that Cuba poses no threat to the United States.

The United Nations has previously adopted non‑binding resolutions condemning the embargo dozens of times. Cuba hopes the upcoming debate will reaffirm sovereign equality, human‑rights protections and bring renewed international support against the U.S. policy.