In recent months, the U.S. government has tightened its decades-long embargo on Cuba, at times completely cutting off the supply of oil to the small Caribbean nation. This caused total electricity blackouts, including some days where even hospitals were without power. In response, Cuba pushed for a debate on the blockade at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on July 7.
Nine nations, including the U.S. and its close allies, such as Ukraine and Israel, voted against having the debate, while 136 nations voted in favour. Canada was among 30 countries to abstain.
Before the vote took place, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio circulated a letter to U.S. embassies around the world warning that countries who dared to be critical of the blockade would “create friction in our bilateral relations.”
Every October for the past 31 years, the UNGA has held a vote to condemn the U.S. blockade. “Canada has always aligned itself with the overwhelming majority of the world in condemning the blockade,” the Canadian Network on Cuba wrote in a statement after Canada’s recent abstention. “If this were to change in 2026, it would represent a devastating blow to Canada-Cuba relations and to Canada’s independence.”
This article appeared in the 2026 Summer issue.
