Gabon votes to lift US embargo on Cuba
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the end of the US embargo on Cuba, with Gabon supporting the measure.
Gabon voted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to support the resolution demanding the lifting of the United States embargo against Cuba. This vote occurred amidst international tensions between Washington and Havana, with the resolution adopted by 130 votes in favour, 17 against, and 25 abstentions.
The resolution, presented by Cuba, urges other countries not to apply similar measures and denounces the extraterritorial effects of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. This diplomatic action comes as Cuba faces severe economic and energy shortages, with electricity outages impacting essential services like transport, water distribution, and hospitals.
The vote reflects a declining international support for the resolution compared to previous years, with 165 votes in favour in 2025 and 187 in 2024. The US ambassador to the UN contested the existence of a blockade, while Havana accused Washington of economic strangulation. The adopted resolution remains non-binding.
Why it mattersGabon's vote at the UN General Assembly supports the lifting of the US embargo on Cuba, a measure that has led to severe economic and energy shortages on the island.