U.S. votes against U.N. resolution condemning Cuba embargo

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The United States voted "no" on a United Nations resolution to end its economic embargo against Cuba on Wednesday.

The resolution was met with a vote of 191 to 2 as Israel joined the United States in voting "no" a year after the Obama administration chose to abstain from the vote for the first time in the 25-year history of the annual review.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley explained the change in stance telling the General Assembly the United States would not allow trade revenue to "prop up the dictatorial regime" as long as the Cuban people are deprived of rights and freedoms.

"No doubt there will be some here who do not understand how we can take such opposite positions, separated by just 12 months," Haley said.

Haley criticized the vote as "political theater" pointing out only the U.S. Congress has the power to end the embargo.

"The United States does not fear isolation in this chamber or anywhere else," she said before the vote. "As long as we are members of the United Nations, we will stand for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms that the member states of this body have pledged to protect, even if we have to stand alone."

Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez also spoke before the vote, describing Haley's remarks as disrespectful and stating President Donald Trump's administration lacked "the slightest moral authority to criticize Cuba."

Early last month the Trump administration expelled 15 diplomats from Cuba's Washington embassy after several U.S. diplomat experienced a strange illness while working at the embassy in Havana.