EXPLANATION OF VOTE – UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION ON THE “NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA”
Statement by H.E. Mr James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
29 October 2025
Australia and New Zealand support this annual resolution on the embargo against Cuba because the embargo restricts open trade and investment.
This vote does not reflect an endorsement of the policies of Cuba, including widespread reports of failures to comply with international human rights standards, expropriation of property, misinformation and disinformation, and Cuban nationals fighting as part of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
Australia and New Zealand remain concerned by the human rights situation in Cuba, which has continued to deteriorate following the Cuban Government’s heavy-handed response to peaceful protests in 2021 and ongoing restrictions on the freedom of expression and association affecting everyday Cubans.
We take this opportunity to urge the Cuban Government to respect the rights of all its population and call for the release of all political prisoners and those who are arbitrarily detained.