U.N. votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba for 19th year

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to urge the United States to lift a 48-year-old economic embargo against Cuba, making a now ritual call despite some U.S. easing towards the communist-run island.

The assembly passed a nonbinding resolution -- with 187 votes in favour, two against and three abstentions -- for the 19th consecutive year, reflecting the world's disapproval of Washington's long-standing effort to isolate Havana.

President Barack Obama's administration has taken some steps to lessen hostility with Cuba, but has not come close to lifting the trade embargo -- part of U.S. policy to promote human rights in Cuba -- because it is seen as too risky in domestic politics.

The latest assembly resolution came just a week before U.S. congressional elections in which Obama's Democrats are forecast to lose ground.

Introducing the measure, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed Washington's moves. "Two years after President Obama pledged to seek 'a new beginning with Cuba', facts confirm that nothing has changed," he said.

"It is obvious that the United States has no intention whatsoever to lift the blockade."

Rodriguez charged that over the past half-century the embargo had caused Cuba economic damage of more than $751 billion according to the dollar's current value.

"The White House continues to pay more attention to the well-funded 'special interests' of an exiguous minority that has turned the policy against Cuba into a very profitable business," he said.