Rogue states: US & Israel oppose entire world in UN vote to end Cuba blockade
Oct 31, 2024
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The podcast dives into the U.S. economic blockade against Cuba, revealing the overwhelming global opposition through a recent UN vote. The episode highlights the challenges faced by nations like Venezuela and Afghanistan due to U.S. sanctions. Argentina's foreign minister risks political backlash by supporting the majority. It discusses the long-term goals of U.S. sanctions and critiques the prioritization of corporate interests in foreign policy. Finally, the geopolitical ramifications of unilateral sanctions are examined, posing a challenge to the so-called 'rules-based order'.
The U.S. and Israel's opposition to the UN vote against the Cuba blockade highlights the stark divide between the global community and U.S. imperialism.
The impact of the U.S. embargo extends beyond Cuba, influencing foreign policies and international relations, as seen in Argentina's political turmoil.
Deep dives
The Impact of the U.S. Blockade on Cuba
The U.S. has maintained an extensive economic blockade against Cuba for over 60 years, significantly limiting the island's ability to access essential goods and services. This blockade not only restricts trade but also disconnects Cuban banks from the international financial system, making it nearly impossible for Cuba to acquire foreign currency for vital imports like food and energy. More damagingly, secondary sanctions threaten foreign entities that engage with Cuba, effectively isolating the nation on a global scale. This U.S. action has been met with overwhelming disapproval from the international community, as exemplified by the consistent yearly resolutions at the United Nations calling for an end to this embargo.
International Community's Response
The international response to the U.S. blockade is overwhelmingly negative, with a significant majority of countries voting in favor of resolutions to end the embargo against Cuba. In the latest UN General Assembly vote, 187 out of 193 member states supported lifting the blockade, with only the U.S. and Israel opposing it. This demonstrates a clear alignment among nations against what many perceive as an infringement on Cuba's sovereignty and a violation of international law. The only abstentions came from countries under their own sanctions, such as Venezuela and Afghanistan, which raises questions about the fairness of their votes in these international proceedings.
Political Implications for Other Nations
The political dynamic surrounding the U.S. blockade also influences other nations' relationships and policies towards the U.S. For instance, Argentina's foreign minister defied her government's pro-U.S. stance by voting against the blockade, resulting in her dismissal by the current president. This highlights the lengths to which some leaders go to align with U.S. interests, reflecting broader geopolitical strategies. Additionally, the blockade not only targets Cuba but serves as a model for U.S. foreign policy, seen as imposing restrictions on countries that challenge U.S. hegemony, thereby creating a troubling precedent for international relations.
For the 32nd year, the entire world voted at the UN General Assembly to demand an end to the illegal US embargo against Cuba. The USA and Israel opposed the international community in a vote of 187 to 2. Ben Norton explains why the US empire has waged such a vicious economic war on Cuba for six decades.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTX4zSfCQYM
TOPICS
0:00 US economic war on Cuba
1:39 UN General Assembly vote against US blockade
2:06 Map of UN vote against US embargo of Cuba
3:25 Venezuela & Afghanistan lost UN voting rights due to US sanctions
5:15 Argentina's Milei fires foreign minister for voting with 97% of world
7:08 UN votes against US embargo in 2023 & 2022
8:41 Why the US empire wants to crush Cuba
10:29 Goal of US sanctions: "hunger, desperation, and overthrow"
13:39 Dedollarization & BRICS
15:40 Bipartisan barbarism: Biden continues Trump's war on Cuba
18:01 West votes against rest of world at UN
20:08 US imperialism is a global dictatorship
23:17 Outro
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